sort

SORT/soɹt/SaySAWTUK/sɔːt//soːt/

Pluralsorts

Verbsorts, sorting, sorted

22 meanings of sort

Practice

1
kindnouncountable
A group of people or things that are alike in some way.
Like putting toys into boxes by color: each box holds one sort.
What sort of music do you like best?
She baked all sorts of cookies for the party.
UsageOften sort of + a noun: what sort of music? A sort of path is not quite a real path.
Similarkind, type, category, variety, class
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2
separate by kindverbtransitive
To put things into groups, so that things of the same kind are together.
Like putting your clothes into different drawers: shirts in one, pants in another.
Please sort these socks by color.
The machine sorts the mail by zip code.
UsageUse into for the groups and by for how you group them: sort toys into boxes, by color.
Similarclassify, separate, sift
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3
in sequenceverbtransitive
To put things in order, such as by number or by letter.
Like lining up books on a shelf from A to Z.
Sort the names in alphabetical order before printing.
She sorted the photos by the date she took them.
UsageSay sort by date or number, or sort things in order.
Similarorder, rank
Oppositeshuffle, jumble, scramble
Note
4
take care ofverbcolloquialBritishtransitive
To deal with a problem or task and get it done.
Don't worry, I'll sort the booking for you.
She sorted the whole mess in an afternoon.
UsageMeans the same as sort out: I'll sort it, get it sorted. In formal writing, say fix or deal with.
Similarfix, handle, resolve, settle
Note

Less common meanings

5
type of personnouncolloquialcountable
A person of a particular kind, judged by what they are like.
He's a good sort, always ready to help.
She's the quiet sort who keeps to herself.
UsageUse it with a describing word: a good sort, the quiet sort.
6
nouncountable
The act of putting things into groups or into order.
The papers needed a good sort before filing.
We gave the toys a quick sort into boxes.
UsageOften give something a sort: give the papers a good sort.
7
nouncountable
A computer method for putting a list in order.
Like a set of steps that puts numbered cards into the right order.
This sort runs faster on small lists.
Programmers often learn the bubble sort first.
Note
8
nouncolloquialAustraliaBritishcountable
A good-looking woman.
Everyone at the party agreed she was a real sort.
He kept glancing at the sort sitting by the window.
UsageThis can sound rude, so it is better not to use it. A good sort usually means a kind person.
Similarlooker, stunner, babe, beauty
9
beat upverbcolloquialBritishtransitive
To hurt someone by hitting or attacking them.
If he starts trouble again, my brothers will sort him.
She warned that she would sort anyone who crossed her.
Similarbeat, thrash, batter
Note
10
verbobsoletetransitive
To choose one or some from a group.
I'll sort some other time to visit you.
ca 1591, William Shakespeare, Henry VI part 1Here, sort means choose or pick.
To send his mother to her father's house, that he may sort her out a worthy spouse
1616, George Chapman, The Odysseys of HomerHere, sort means pick out or choose.
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11
mannernounarchaic
A way of doing or being something.
I’ll deceive you in another sort
ca 1590, William Shakespeare, Titus AndronicusHere, sort means way or manner.
With the might of that throw Goldry’s wrath departed from him and left him strengthless, in such sort that he reeled as he went from the wrastling ground.
1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance
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12
adaptverbobsoletetransitive
To change something so it fits a situation.
I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience.
ca 1591, William Shakespeare, Henry VI part 2Here, sort means fit or adjust.
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13
nounobsolete
A high rank or position in society.
Note
14
nounobsolete
A group of people or animals that are together.
a sort of shepherds suing of the Chace
1595, Edmund Spenser, The Poetical Works of Edmund SpenserHere, sort means a group of people.
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15
nounobsolete
The fate or future that life brings to a person.
Note
16
lot (chance)nounobsolete
A small object drawn or thrown to decide something by chance.
No, make a lottery; And, by device, let blockish Ajax draw The sort to fight with Hector.
c. 1602, William Shakespeare, Troilus and CressidaHere, sort means a lot drawn to decide by chance.
Note
17
nounobsolete
A complete set of matching things, like a pair of shoes.
Note
18
noun
A small metal block with one letter or symbol on it, used in old printing.
19
noun
In logic or math, a type that tells which group something belongs to.
20
verb
To join or get together with others, especially others of the same kind.
21
verb
To fit or go well with something else.
22
verb
To remove a male animal's testicles, especially a horse's, so it cannot breed.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of sort apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1, 5–8, 11, 13–17

From Old French sorte meaning "class, kind," from Latin sors, meaning "lot, fate, or category."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

The noun sort derives from Old French sorte, meaning class or kind. en.wiktionary.org
Old French sorte derives from Latin sors. en.wiktionary.org
Latin sors means lot, fate, or category. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 2–4, 9–10, 12

From Old French sortir meaning "to allot or sort," from Latin sortīre, from sors.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

The verb sort derives from Old French sortir, meaning “to allot or sort.” en.wiktionary.org
Old French sortir derives from Latin sortīre. en.wiktionary.org
Latin sortīre derives from sors. en.wiktionary.org