What does sort mean?
Sort has two closely related modern meanings. As a noun, it refers to a category or type, as in “What sort of book are you reading?”, and also to the act of arranging or classifying things. As a verb, it describes putting people or objects into groups according to a rule, such as sorting mail by destination or sorting data by date. The expression “sort of” is informal and means “a kind of” or “something like,” while “sort out” commonly means to resolve a problem or organize a situation. Although the noun also once meant chance or fortune, that sense is now archaic. The word is useful because it covers both classification and the ordering that classification creates, linking everyday categories with technical processes such as sorting records, waste, or electronic information.
A category, class, or type of people or things; also, the act or result of arranging items in order.
"The exhibition brought together every sort of mechanical invention."
The phrase “a sort of” is informal and often suggests an approximate or uncertain category. The older sense meaning chance or fortune is archaic.
To classify, arrange, or organize people or things according to a particular system or criterion; by extension, to resolve or deal with a situation.
"The volunteers sorted the donated books by size and subject."
“Sort out” commonly means to resolve a difficulty, organize something, or deal with a person or situation.
The plural sorts is used when referring to different categories or types.
"The museum collects many sorts of musical instruments."
Sorting is one of the oldest practical applications of order: ancient scribes and postal workers used it to turn a mass of material into something immediately usable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sort come from?
The noun entered Middle English from Old French sort, which was borrowed from Latin sortem, an accusative form related to sortis, meaning kind or sort. The verb developed through Old French sortir and Latin sortiri, meaning to select or arrange. Several English words reflect the same Latin root, including assort, resort, consort, and sortie. The core idea is selection: to sort something is to separate it from other things and place it in an appropriate category.
Related word forms
How sort is actually used
In modern usage, sort is widely used in both formal and informal contexts. “Sort of” is informal and often indicates an approximate or uncertain description, while “sort out” commonly means to resolve, organize, or deal with something. The noun sense for chance or fortune is now archaic.