sort
♦♦♦ sort /s'ɔːrt/ (sorts sorting sorted)
1 [N-COUNT] with supp, usu N of n
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.
What sort of school did you go to?...
There are so many different sorts of mushrooms available these days...
He had a nice, serious sort of smile...
That's just the sort of abuse that he will be investigating...
Eddie was playing a game of some sort...
= type, kind
2 [N-SING] with supp
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...
What sort of men were they?
= type, kind
3 [VERB] be V-ed into n, V through n, V n
If you sort things, you separate them into different classes, groups, or places, for example so that you can do different things with them.
The students are sorted into three ability groups...
He unlatched the box and sorted through the papers...
I sorted the laundry.
4 [VERB] usu passive, get n V-ed
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...
= sort out
5 [PHRASE]
All sorts of things or people means a large number of different things or people.
There are all sorts of animals, including bears, pigs, kangaroos, and penguins...
Self-help groups of all sorts have been running for more than 20 years.
6 [PHRASE] n PHR
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.
He made a living of sorts selling pancakes from a van...
7 [PHRASE]
You use sort of when you want to say that your description of something is not very accurate. (INFORMAL)
You could even order windows from a catalogue-a sort of mail order stained glass service...
8
to sort the wheat from the chaff: see chaff
nothing of the sort: see nothingsort out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron) from n
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.
Sort out all your bills, receipts, invoices and expenses as quickly as possible and keep detailed accounts...
Davina was sorting out scraps of material...
How do we sort out fact from fiction?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you sort out a problem or the details of something, you do what is necessary to solve the problem or organize the details.
India and Nepal have sorted out their trade and security dispute...
Have you sorted something out for tomorrow night?
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you sort someone out, you make them realize that they have behaved wrongly, for example by talking to them or by punishing them. (mainly BRIT)
It was the older women and young mothers who sorted all the troublemakers out...
The crucial skill you need to develop is sorting out the parents.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V pron-refl P
If you sort yourself out, you organize yourself or calm yourself so that you can act effectively and reasonably.
We're in a state of complete chaos here and I need a little time to sort myself out.
1 [N-COUNT] with supp, usu N of n
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.
What sort of school did you go to?...
There are so many different sorts of mushrooms available these days...
He had a nice, serious sort of smile...
That's just the sort of abuse that he will be investigating...
Eddie was playing a game of some sort...
= type, kind
2 [N-SING] with supp
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...
What sort of men were they?
= type, kind
3 [VERB] be V-ed into n, V through n, V n
If you sort things, you separate them into different classes, groups, or places, for example so that you can do different things with them.
The students are sorted into three ability groups...
He unlatched the box and sorted through the papers...
I sorted the laundry.
4 [VERB] usu passive, get n V-ed
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...
= sort out
5 [PHRASE]
All sorts of things or people means a large number of different things or people.
There are all sorts of animals, including bears, pigs, kangaroos, and penguins...
Self-help groups of all sorts have been running for more than 20 years.
6 [PHRASE] n PHR
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.
He made a living of sorts selling pancakes from a van...
7 [PHRASE]
You use sort of when you want to say that your description of something is not very accurate. (INFORMAL)
You could even order windows from a catalogue-a sort of mail order stained glass service...
8
to sort the wheat from the chaff: see chaff
nothing of the sort: see nothingsort out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron) from n
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.
Sort out all your bills, receipts, invoices and expenses as quickly as possible and keep detailed accounts...
Davina was sorting out scraps of material...
How do we sort out fact from fiction?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you sort out a problem or the details of something, you do what is necessary to solve the problem or organize the details.
India and Nepal have sorted out their trade and security dispute...
Have you sorted something out for tomorrow night?
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you sort someone out, you make them realize that they have behaved wrongly, for example by talking to them or by punishing them. (mainly BRIT)
It was the older women and young mothers who sorted all the troublemakers out...
The crucial skill you need to develop is sorting out the parents.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V pron-refl P
If you sort yourself out, you organize yourself or calm yourself so that you can act effectively and reasonably.
We're in a state of complete chaos here and I need a little time to sort myself out.