Definition of “sort” - English Dictionary

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“sort” in English

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sortnoun

uk /sɔːt/ us /sɔːrt/

sort noun (TYPE)

A2 [ C ] a group of things that are of the same type or that share similar qualities:

We both like the same sort of music.

I'm going to have a salad of some sort.

What sort of shoes will I need?

We saw all sorts (= many types) of animals in the park.

Many sorts of bacteria are resistant to penicillin.

This sort of camera is very expensive.

Plants of this sort need shady conditions.

your sort

› the type of thing or person that you like:

Hmm, this is my sort of wine!

I'd have thought these black trousers were more your sort of thing.

I wouldn't have thought he was your sort (= was the type of man you would be attracted to).

(and) that sort of thing B1 informal

› used to show that what you have just said is only an example from a much larger group of things:

They sell souvenirs, postcards, that sort of thing.

More examples

He struck me as an affable sort of a man.
There was some sort of property deal that didn't come off.
He hates physical contact of any sort - he doesn't even like to shake your hand.
What sort of music do you like dancing to?
His condition was diagnosed as some sort of blood disorder.

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Categories and varieties

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Samples and examples

sort noun (PERSON)

› [ C usually singular ] UK old-fashioned a person having the stated or suggested character:

He seemed like a decent sort to me.

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People in general

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Grammar

Sort, type and kindSort, type and kind all generally mean the same thing. They are words we use to refer to a group of people or things which share the same characteristics. We use these words very often when we describe things and we often find them in dictionary definitions: …

Kind of and sort ofKind of and sort of are very common expressions in speaking. They soften other words and phrases so that they do not appear too direct or exact. Kind of is more common in American English. Sort of is more common in British English: …

Idiom(s)

be out of sorts

it takes all sorts (to make a world)

of sorts

(a) sort of

sort of

sortverb

uk /sɔːt/ us /sɔːrt/

sort verb (ORDER)

B2 [ I or T ] to put a number of things in an order or to separate them into groups:

Paper, plastic, and cans are sorted for recycling.

I'm going to sort these old books into those to be kept and those to be thrown away.

You can use the computer to sort the newspaper articles alphabetically, by date, or by subject.

She found the ring while sorting (through) some clothes.

More examples

Eggs are sorted into different sizes by a machine.
We no longer use manual sorting of letters.
The eggs are sorted into different sizes.
They sorted the rotten apples from the good ones.
The students were sorted according to ability.

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Classifying and creating order

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sort verb (DEAL WITH)

› [ T ] UK informal to deal with something by repairing or organizing it:

Can you sort the car by tomorrow?

We must get the phone sorted soon.

I must get this paperwork sorted before I go on holiday next week.

More examples

In all seriousness now - joking aside - I do think there's a problem here that we've got to get sorted.
I need to get tomorrow's food sorted.
At least that's Sam's birthday present sorted.
The plumber came and got the leak sorted.
I need to get my bike sorted.