sort
Sort (noun) means a particular type or kind of something. Example: “What sort of music do you like?”
How to use sort
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a category/type of thing, or the act of arranging things in order.
"Sort of" is a common hedging phrase meaning "somewhat" or "kind of" — informal in writing.
Word forms
sorted past tense, sorts plural, sort plural, sorted plural, sorts singular, sort singular, sorted singular, sortedst singular, sortest singular, sorteth singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
What _____ of music do you like?
Etymology
From Old French sorte ("class, kind"), from Latin sors ("lot, fate, share, category").
Related words
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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include sort: