sort
sawt
Sort (noun) means a particular type or kind of something. Example: “This sort of weather makes me want to stay indoors.”
noun
1
A particular type or kind of something.
"This sort of weather makes me want to stay indoors."
"What sort of music do you like?"
"She's not the sort of person who gives up easily."
verb
1
To arrange items into groups or a particular order, based on some shared quality.
"Sort the laundry into whites and colours before you wash it."
"Please sort these files by date."
"The app lets you sort your emails by sender."
2
Informal: to fix a problem or deal with a task.
"Can you sort the broken heating before the guests arrive?"
"We'll sort out the paperwork once we get home."
"Don't worry, I'll sort it out by tomorrow."
How to use sort
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a category/type of thing, or the act of arranging things in order.
Common mistake
"Sort of" is a common hedging phrase meaning "somewhat" or "kind of" — informal in writing.
Common pairings
sort of
sort by
sort out
all sorts of
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Word forms
- Plural
- sorts
- Third person singular
- sorts
- Past tense
- sorted
- Archaic forms
- sortedst, sortest, sorteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This _____ of weather makes me want to stay indoors.
Etymology
From Old French sorte ("class, kind"), from Latin sors ("lot, fate, share, category").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for sort
See all rhymes for sort →Frequently asked questions
What does “sort” mean?
The word “sort” means a particular type or kind of something. In plain terms, either a category/type of thing, or the act of arranging things in order.
How do you pronounce “sort”?
“Sort” is pronounced sawt (/soɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “sort” in a sentence?
Here is “sort” used in a sentence: “What sort of music do you like?”
What is another word for “sort”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sort” include character, individual, person and type.
What part of speech is “sort”?
Depending on how it is used, “sort” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sort” come from?
The word “sort” comes from Latin. From Old French sorte ("class, kind"), from Latin sors ("lot, fate, share, category").
Is “sort” a common word?
“Sort” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sort” have?
“Sort” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a particular type or kind of something.
What is the difference between sort, type, and kind?
All three mean a category of thing and are usually interchangeable in everyday speech — 'what sort of music', 'what type of music', 'what kind of music' all work. Type can sound slightly more technical or precise, while sort and kind feel more casual and conversational. The differences are mostly in tone, not meaning.
What is the difference between sort and category?
Sort and category both group things by shared features, but category is more formal and systematic, often used for defined classes in lists, shops, or research. Sort is more casual and everyday. You might file items under a category, but ask what sort of thing someone means in ordinary conversation.
What is an example of sort used in a sentence?
You might say, 'What sort of car are you looking for?' — asking about the type or kind. Other examples include 'he's the sort of person you can trust' or 'they sell all sorts of sweets.' In each, sort refers to a category or class of thing rather than a single item.
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