Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense sorts, present participle sorting, past tense, past participle sorted
1. countable noun
If you talk about a particular sortof something, you are talking about a class of things that have particular features in common and that belong to a larger group of related things.
What sort of school did you go to? [+ of]
There are so many different sorts of mushrooms available these days. [+ of]
A dozen trees of various sorts were planted.
He had a nice, serious sort of smile. [+ of]
That's just the sort of abuse that he will be investigating. [+ of]
Eddie was playing a game of some sort.
It is the last time I will take on this sort of work.
Let's have some more articles of this sort.
2. singular noun
You describe someone as a particular sort when you are describing their character.
He seemed to be just the right sort for the job.
She was a very vigorous sort of person. [+ of]
What sort of men were they? [+ of]
Synonyms: person, individual, type, customer [informal] More Synonyms of sort
3. verb
If you sort things, you separate them into different classes, groups, or places, for example so that you can do different things with them.
He sorted the materials into their folders. [VERB noun into noun]
The students are sorted into three ability groups. [beVERB-ed + into]
He unlatched the box and sorted through the papers. [VERB + through]
I sorted the laundry. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: arrange, group, order, class More Synonyms of sort
4. verb [usually passive]
If you get a problem or the details of something sorted, you do what is necessary to solve the problem or organize the details.
[informal]
I'm trying to get my script sorted. [getVERB-ed]
These problems have now been sorted. [beVERB-ed]
Synonyms: resolve, answer, work out, clear up More Synonyms of sort
5.
See all sorts
6.
See of sorts/a sort
7.
See sort of
8.
See out of sorts
9. to sort the wheat from the chaff
10. nothing of the sort
Phrasal verbs:
See sort out
More Synonyms of sort
sort in British English
(sɔːt)
noun
1.
a class, group, kind, etc, as distinguished by some common quality or characteristic
2. informal
type of character, nature, etc
he's a good sort
3.
a more or less definable or adequate example
it's a sort of review
4. (often plural) printing
any of the individual characters making up a fount of type
5. archaic
manner; way
in this sort we struggled home
6. after a sort
7. of sorts
8. out of sorts
9. sort of
verb
10. (transitive)
to arrange according to class, type, etc
11. (transitive)
to put (something) into working order
12. (transitive)
to arrange (computer information) by machine in an order convenient to the computer user
13. (transitive; foll bywith) informal
to supply, esp with drugs
14. (intr; foll by with, together, etc) archaic or dialect
to associate, as on friendly terms
15. (intransitive) archaic
to agree; accord
▶ USAGE See note at kind2
Derived forms
sortable (ˈsortable)
adjective
sortably (ˈsortably)
adverb
sorter (ˈsorter)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French, from Medieval Latin sors kind, from Latin: fate
sort in American English
(sɔrt)
noun
1.
any group of persons or things related by having something in common; kind; class
2.
quality or type; nature
remarks of that sort
3. Archaic
manner or way
4. Computing
the act or an instance of sorting
5. [usually pl.]; Printing
any of the kinds of characters in a font of type
verb transitive
6.
to place, separate, or arrange according to class or kind
often with out
verb intransitive
7. Archaic
to associate; consort
8. Archaic
to harmonize or agree; suit
9. Computing
to arrange a group of records in a particular way, as chronologically or alphabetically, so that they can be accessed more efficiently
Idioms:
after a sort
of sorts
out of sorts
sort of
Derived forms
sortable (ˈsortable)
adjective
sorter (ˈsorter)
noun
Word origin
ME < MFr < VL *sorta < L sors (gen. sortis), lot, chance, fate, akin to serere, to join together, arrange: see series
COBUILD Collocations
sort
different sort
right sort
strange sort
wrong sort
Examples of 'sort' in a sentence
sort
Tell him expert help is available to sort out any problems he may have.
The Sun (2007)
Sort the names according to their meanings.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They all do so wearing the right sort of clothes.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This game sits up as just his sort of contest.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We get dealt all sorts of blows from the left and the right.
Christianity Today (2000)
You can buy a serious amount of car for that sort of wedge.
The Sun (2014)
We sent our people to sort it out.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
What sort of character do you appear to be?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We talked about all sorts of things.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We are a different sort of society.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
What sort of jobs do they have?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
What sort of person does that make you?
The Sun (2011)
We want to be in this sort of game all the time.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
To nuclear experts it had become increasingly obvious that something of the sort had happened.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It would also help members to sort out particular labour relations problems or disputes.
Chambers, Ian Business Studies Basic Facts (1990)
They go round and sort it out for themselves.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Perhaps his wife knew about some sort of problem.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But first ask your neighbour in a friendly way to sort this out.
The Sun (2016)
None of the treatments available offered any sort of cure.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
So how do companies go about stealing this sort of information?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He has the right sort of mischievous wit.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
As the tide turns, they remove the bags they want to grade and bring them ashore to sort them according to size.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
sort
British English: sort /sɔːt/ NOUN
A particular sort of something is one of its different kinds or types.
What sort of school did you go to?
American English: sort
Arabic: نَوْع
Brazilian Portuguese: espécie
Chinese: 种类
Croatian: vrsta
Czech: druh typ
Danish: slags
Dutch: soort type
European Spanish: clase
Finnish: laji
French: sorte
German: Sorte
Greek: είδος
Italian: tipo
Japanese: 種類
Korean: 종류
Norwegian: sort
Polish: rodzaj
European Portuguese: espécie
Romanian: fel
Russian: сорт
Latin American Spanish: clase categoría
Swedish: sort
Thai: ชนิด
Turkish: çeşit
Ukrainian: вид
Vietnamese: loại dạng
All related terms of 'sort'
Q-sort
a psychological test requiring subjects to sort items relative to one another along a dimension such as " agree "/" disagree " for analysis by Q-methodological statistics
re-sort
to sort again
sort of
You use sort of when you want to say that your description of something is not very accurate .
good sort
a person of a kindly and likable disposition
sort code
a sequence of numbers printed on a cheque or embossed on a bank or building-society card that identifies the branch holding the account
sort out
If you sort out a group of things, you separate them into different classes , groups, or places, for example so that you can do different things with them.
right sort
If you talk about a particular sort of something, you are talking about a class of things that have particular features in common and that belong to a larger group of related things.
wrong sort
If you talk about a particular sort of something, you are talking about a class of things that have particular features in common and that belong to a larger group of related things.
special sort
a character, such as an accented letter, that is not a usual member of any font
strange sort
If you talk about a particular sort of something, you are talking about a class of things that have particular features in common and that belong to a larger group of related things.
after a sort
to some extent
different sort
If you talk about a particular sort of something, you are talking about a class of things that have particular features in common and that belong to a larger group of related things.
of sorts/a sort
If you describe something as a thing of sorts or as a thing of a sort , you are suggesting that the thing is of a rather poor quality or standard .
sort out an issue
An issue is an important subject that people are arguing about or discussing .
of sorts
of an inferior kind
nothing of the sort
Nothing of the sort is used when strongly contradicting something that has just been said .
sort out the men from the boys
to separate the experienced from the inexperienced
re
You use re in business letters , faxes , or other documents to introduce a subject or item which you are going to discuss or refer to in detail .
to separate the wheat from the chaff to sort the wheat from the chaff
If you separate the wheat from the chaff or sort the wheat from the chaff , you decide which people or things in a group are good or important and which are not.
separate the wheat from the chaff/sort the wheat from the chaff
Chaff is the outer part of grain such as wheat . It is removed before the grain is used as food.
Chinese translation of 'sort'
sort
(sɔːt)
n
(c)
sort (of)种(種)类(類) (zhǒnglèi) (个(個), gè)
⇒ What sort of school did you go to?你去了哪种学校？ (Nǐ qùle nǎ zhǒng xuéxiào?)
⇒ What sort do you want?你要哪一种？ (Nǐ yào nǎ yī zhǒng?)
(c) (= make, brand)[of coffee, car etc]品牌 (pǐnpái) (个(個), gè)
(s) (= person) 人 (rén)
⇒ He seemed to be just the right sort for the job.他看起来是做这份工作的合适人选。 (Tā kàn qǐlái shì zuò zhè fèn gōngzuò de héshì rénxuǎn.)
⇒ Minnie was alone in the post office, sorting mail.明妮独自在邮局，将邮件分类。 (Míngní dúzì zài yóujú, jiāng yóujiàn fēnlèi.)
(= separate) 分开(開) (fēnkāi)
⇒ The students are sorted into three ability groups.将学生按能力分成3个组。 (Jiāng xuésheng àn nénglì fēnchéng sān gè zǔ.)
(inf, = solve)[problem]解决(決) (jiějué)
⇒ These problems have now been sorted.这些问题已经被解决了。 (Zhèxiē wèntí yǐjīng bèi jiějué le.)
(Comput) 整理 (zhěnglǐ)
sort of (inf) 有点(點)儿(兒) (yǒu diǎnr)
⇒ It's a sort of yellowish colour.是一种有点儿发黄的颜色。 (Shì yī zhǒng yǒudiǎnr fāhuáng de yánsè.)
all sorts of各种(種)不同的 (gè zhǒng bùtóng de)
a career/an education of sorts不怎么(麼)样(樣)的职(職)业(業)/教育 (bù zěnmeyàng de zhíyè/jiàoyù)
1 (noun)
Definition
a class, group, or kind sharing certain characteristics or qualities
What sort of person is he?
Synonyms
kind
Lewis and his kind are the best sort of people.
type
There are various types of the disease.
class
a new class of personal computer
make
What make of car did he rent?
group
The recipes are divided into groups according to their main ingredients.
family
foods in the cabbage family, such as Brussels sprouts
order
the order of insects Coleoptera, better known as beetles
race
We welcome students of all races, faiths and nationalities.
style
six scenes in the style of a classical Greek tragedy
quality
The pretentious quality of the poetry.
character
Moscow's reforms were socialist in character.
nature
This – and other books of a similar nature – are urgently needed.
variety
She grows 12 varieties of old-fashioned roses.
brand
the British brand of socialism
species
There are several thousand species of trees here.
breed
rare breeds of cattle
category
The entries were organised into six different categories.
stamp
Monty is a man of a very different stamp.
description
Events of this description occurred daily.
denomination
genus
all the species of a particular genus
ilk
politicians and their ilk
2 (noun)
Definition
a type of character
He seemed to be just the right sort for the job.
Synonyms
person
Sam's the only person who can do the job.
individual
the rights and responsibilities of the individual
type
She doesn't seem like the type to shoplift.
customer (informal)
soul
a tiny village of only 100 souls
creature
He is one of the most amiable creatures in existence.
human being
not to hear a fellow human being's voice
bloke (informal)
He is a really nice bloke.
chap (informal)
Her husband's a very decent chap.
1 (verb)
Definition
to arrange (things or people) according to class or type
He sorted the materials into their folders.
Synonyms
arrange
He started to arrange the books in piles.
group
The fact sheets are grouped into seven sections.
order
Entries in the book are ordered alphabetically.
class
I would class my garden as being medium in size.
separate
file
Papers are filed alphabetically.
rank
Universities were ranked according to marks scored in seven areas.
divide
grade
The college does not grade the children's work.
sequence
distribute
catalogue
The Royal Greenwich Observatory was founded to observe and catalogue the stars.
classify
Rocks can be classified according to their mode of origin.
categorize
tabulate
Results for the test program haven't been tabulated yet.
systematize
The way to stay on top is to systematize your approach.
put in order
assort
2 (verb)
These problems have now been sorted.
Synonyms
resolve
We must find a way to resolve these problems.
answer
He paused before answering.
work out
clear up
crack
He has finally cracked the code after years of painstaking research.
fathom
suss (out) (slang)
find the solution to
phrases
See all sorts of
See of sorts
idiom
See out of sorts
See sort of
Phrasal verbs
See sort someone out
See sort something out
See sort something out from something
Usage note
It is common in informal speech to combine singular and plural in sentences like These sort of distinctions are becoming blurred. This is not acceptable in careful writing, where the plural must be used consistently: These sorts of distinctions are becoming blurred.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of answer
Definition
to reply or respond (to) by word or act
He paused before answering.
Synonyms
reply,
explain,
respond,
resolve,
acknowledge,
react,
return,
retort,
rejoin,
refute
in the sense of bloke
Definition
a man
He is a really nice bloke.
Synonyms
man,
person,
individual,
customer (informal),
character (informal),
guy (informal),
fellow (old-fashioned),
punter (informal),
chap,
boy,
bod (informal),
bastard (offensive, informal),
bugger (taboo, slang)
in the sense of brand
Definition
a particular kind or variety
the British brand of socialism
Synonyms
type,
make,
sort,
kind,
class,
quality,
variety,
species,
strain,
grade,
cast
Synonyms of 'sort'
sort
Explore 'sort' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of breed
Definition
a group of animals, esp. domestic animals, within a species, that have certain clearly defined characteristics
rare breeds of cattle
Synonyms
variety,
family,
line,
sort,
kind,
race,
class,
stock,
type,
species,
strain,
pedigree
in the sense of catalogue
Definition
to enter (an item) in a catalogue
The Royal Greenwich Observatory was founded to observe and catalogue the stars.
Synonyms
list,
file,
index,
register,
classify,
inventory,
accession,
tabulate,
alphabetize
in the sense of category
Definition
a class or group of things or people with some quality or qualities in common
The entries were organised into six different categories.
Synonyms
class,
grouping,
heading,
head,
order,
sort,
list,
department,
type,
division,
section,
rank,
grade,
classification,
genre
in the sense of chap
Definition
a man or boy
Her husband's a very decent chap.
Synonyms
fellow (old-fashioned),
man,
person,
individual,
type,
sort,
customer (informal),
character,
guy (informal),
bloke (British, informal),
cove (slang),
dude (informal),
boykie (South Africa, informal)
in the sense of character
Definition
a distinguishing quality or characteristic
Moscow's reforms were socialist in character.
Synonyms
nature,
kind,
quality,
constitution,
calibre
in the sense of class
Definition
one of the groups into which a phylum is divided, containing one or more orders
a new class of personal computer
Synonyms
type,
set,
sort,
kind,
collection,
species,
grade,
category,
stamp,
genre,
classification,
denomination,
genus
in the sense of class
Definition
to place in a class
I would class my garden as being medium in size.
Synonyms
classify,
group,
rate,
rank,
brand,
label,
grade,
designate,
categorize,
codify
in the sense of classify
Definition
to arrange or order by classes
Rocks can be classified according to their mode of origin.
Synonyms
categorize,
sort,
file,
rank,
arrange,
grade,
catalogue,
codify,
pigeonhole,
tabulate,
systematize
in the sense of crack
Definition
to solve or decipher (a code or problem)
He has finally cracked the code after years of painstaking research.
Synonyms
solve,
work out,
resolve,
interpret,
clarify,
clear up,
fathom,
decipher,
suss (out) (slang),
get to the bottom of,
disentangle,
elucidate,
get the answer to
in the sense of creature
Definition
a person
He is one of the most amiable creatures in existence.
Synonyms
person,
man,
woman,
individual,
character (informal),
fellow (old-fashioned),
soul,
human being,
mortal,
body (informal),
wight (archaic)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of denomination
Definition
a name given to a class or group
Synonyms
classification,
group,
body,
class,
category
in the sense of description
Definition
sort, kind, or variety
Events of this description occurred daily.
Synonyms
kind,
sort,
type,
order,
class,
variety,
brand,
species,
breed,
category,
kidney,
genre,
genus,
ilk
in the sense of family
Definition
any group of related objects or beings
foods in the cabbage family, such as Brussels sprouts
Synonyms
species,
group,
class,
system,
order,
kind,
network,
genre,
classification,
subdivision,
subclass
in the sense of file
Definition
to place (a document) in a file
Papers are filed alphabetically.
Synonyms
arrange,
order,
classify,
put in place,
slot in (informal),
categorize,
pigeonhole,
put in order
in the sense of genus
Definition
a class or group
all the species of a particular genus
Synonyms
type,
sort,
kind,
group,
set,
order,
race,
class,
breed,
category,
genre,
classification
in the sense of grade
Definition
to give a grade to
The college does not grade the children's work.
Synonyms
classify,
rate,
order,
class,
group,
sort,
value,
range,
rank,
brand,
arrange,
evaluate
in the sense of group
Definition
a number of people or things considered as a unit
The recipes are divided into groups according to their main ingredients.
Synonyms
category,
class,
section,
grouping,
order,
sort,
type,
division,
rank,
grade,
classification
in the sense of group
Definition
to put into or form into a group
The fact sheets are grouped into seven sections.
Synonyms
arrange,
order,
sort,
class,
range,
gather,
organize,
assemble,
put together,
classify,
dispose,
marshal,
bracket,
assort
in the sense of human being
Definition
a man, woman, or child
not to hear a fellow human being's voice
Synonyms
human,
man,
woman,
person,
mortal
in the sense of ilk
Definition
a type or class
politicians and their ilk
Synonyms
type,
sort,
kind,
class,
style,
character (informal),
variety,
brand,
breed,
stamp,
description,
kidney,
disposition
Additional synonyms
in the sense of individual
Definition
a single person, esp. when regarded as distinct from others
the rights and responsibilities of the individual
Synonyms
person,
being,
human,
party (informal),
body (informal),
type,
unit,
character (informal),
soul,
creature,
human being,
mortal,
personage,
living soul
in the sense of make
Definition
manufacturer
What make of car did he rent?
Synonyms
brand,
sort,
style,
model,
build,
form,
mark,
kind,
type,
variety,
construction,
marque
in the sense of nature
Definition
kind or sort
This – and other books of a similar nature – are urgently needed.
Synonyms
kind,
sort,
style,
type,
variety,
species,
category,
description
in the sense of order
Definition
one of the groups into which a class is divided, containing one or more families
the order of insects Coleoptera, better known as beetles
Synonyms
kind,
group,
class,
family,
form,
sort,
type,
variety,
cast,
species,
breed,
strain,
category,
tribe,
genre,
classification,
genus,
ilk,
subdivision,
subclass,
taxonomic group
in the sense of order
Definition
to arrange (things) methodically or in their proper places
Entries in the book are ordered alphabetically.
Synonyms
arrange,
group,
sort,
class,
position,
range,
file,
rank,
line up,
organize,
set out,
sequence,
catalogue,
sort out,
classify,
array,
dispose,
tidy,
marshal,
lay out,
tabulate,
systematize,
neaten,
put in order,
set in order,
put to rights
in the sense of quality
Definition
the basic character or nature of something
The pretentious quality of the poetry.
Synonyms
nature,
character,
constitution,
make,
sort,
kind,
worth,
description,
essence
in the sense of race
Definition
a group of people of common ancestry with distinguishing physical features, such as skin colour or build
We welcome students of all races, faiths and nationalities.
Synonyms
people,
ethnic group,
nation,
blood,
house,
family,
line,
issue,
stock,
type,
seed (biblical),
breed,
folk,
tribe,
offspring,
clan,
kin,
lineage,
progeny,
kindred
in the sense of rank
Definition
to give or hold a specific position in an organization or group
Universities were ranked according to marks scored in seven areas.
Synonyms
order,
class,
grade,
catalogue,
classify,
dispose,
categorize
in the sense of soul
Definition
a person
a tiny village of only 100 souls
Synonyms
person,
being,
human,
individual,
body,
creature,
mortal,
man or woman
in the sense of species
Definition
one of the groups into which a genus is divided, the members of which are able to interbreed
There are several thousand species of trees here.
Synonyms
kind,
sort,
type,
group,
class,
variety,
breed,
category,
description,
genus
Additional synonyms
in the sense of stamp
Definition
type or class
Monty is a man of a very different stamp.
Synonyms
type,
sort,
kind,
form,
cut,
character (informal),
fashion,
cast,
breed,
description
in the sense of style
Definition
a form of appearance, design, or production
six scenes in the style of a classical Greek tragedy
Synonyms
type,
sort,
kind,
spirit,
pattern,
variety,
appearance,
tone,
strain,
category,
characteristic,
genre,
tenor
in the sense of systematize
Definition
to arrange (information) in a system
The way to stay on top is to systematize your approach.
Synonyms
arrange,
organize,
rationalize,
sequence,
regulate,
classify,
dispose,
standardize,
tabulate,
put in order,
make uniform,
schematize,
methodize
in the sense of tabulate
Definition
to arrange (information) in rows and columns
Results for the test program haven't been tabulated yet.
Synonyms
arrange,
order,
list,
range,
index,
chart,
catalogue,
classify,
categorize,
codify,
systematize,
tabularize
in the sense of type
Definition
the general characteristics distinguishing a particular group
There are various types of the disease.
Synonyms
kind,
sort,
class,
variety,
group,
form,
order,
style,
species,
breed,
strain,
category,
stamp,
kidney,
genre,
classification,
ilk,
subdivision
in the sense of type
Definition
a person, esp. of a specified kind
She doesn't seem like the type to shoplift.
Synonyms
sort of person,
sort,
type of person
in the sense of variety
Definition
a particular type of something in the same general category