portable

[pawr-tuh-buhl, pohr-]

adjective

1. capable of being transported or conveyed.

   a portable stage.

2. easily carried or conveyed by hand.

   I found a lightweight, portable propane stove for our trekking holiday.

3. Computers.,  (of data sets, software, etc.) capable of being used on different computer systems.

4. Obsolete.,  endurable.

noun

1. something that is easily carried by hand, especially as distinguished from a counterpart that is harder or less convenient to move.

   Of their three television sets, one is a portable.

portable

/ ˈpɔːtəbəl /

adjective

1. able to be carried or moved easily, esp by hand

2. (of software, files, etc) able to be transferred from one type of computer system to another

3. archaic,  able to be endured; bearable

noun

1. an article designed to be readily carried by hand, such as a television, typewriter, etc

Other Word Forms

• portably adverb
• portability noun
• nonportable adjective
• unportable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of portable¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin portābilis; port ⁵, -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of portable¹

C14: from Late Latin portābilis, from Latin portāre to carry

Example Sentences

"Socialism is good…" a pensioner warbles into a portable karaoke mic, slightly off-key and drowned out by her friends' chatter.

From BBC

John Lewis tells us it has been selling 8% more portable air-con units over the last year compared to the year before.

From BBC

There are only a few dozen portable toilets and 12 taps for the estimated 800 people who live here.

From BBC

The fabric has long been shorthand for rugged individualism and the everyday workwear mythos of the American frontier — in other words, a different, portable performance of Americana.

From Salon

With a cast of 14 and an audience capacity of 55, “Pirates Wanted” explores the full top deck of the ship, which is accessible via a small portable stairway.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compact 
• convenient 
• handy 
• lightweight