a category of people or things with a common feature; a type., arrange systematically in groups; separate according to type, class, etc.

all sorts of, of a sort, sort of

Formal and Informal Expressions of sort

In different contexts, you can replace 'sort' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'type, category' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'kind, thing' is a commonplace synonym.

sort: Explore its Definition & Usage

sort Definition

1a category of people or things with a common feature; a type.
2arrange systematically in groups; separate according to type, class, etc.

Using sort: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sort" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
What sort of music do you like?
Example
I need to sort my clothes before packing.
Example
He's not the sort of person who would lie.
Example
She sorted the books into alphabetical order.
Example
The company sorts its employees into different departments.

sort Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for sort

Antonyms for sort

Phrases with sort

all sorts of
many different kinds of
Example
We saw all sorts of animals at the zoo.
of a sort
not very good or not very much like the thing that was expected
Example
The party was a success of a sort, but not many people showed up.
sort of
used to suggest that something is not exactly as stated, or that the speaker is not sure about what they are saying
Example
I'm sort of tired. / It's sort of like a bicycle, but with three wheels.

Origins of sort

from Old French 'sorte', meaning 'kind'

📌

Summary: sort in Brief

The word 'sort' [sɔːt] refers to a category of people or things with a common feature, such as 'What sort of music do you like?' It can also mean to arrange systematically in groups, exemplified by 'She sorted the books into alphabetical order.' The phrase 'all sorts of' means many different kinds of, while 'of a sort' suggests something is not very good or not very much like the thing that was expected. 'Sort of' is used to suggest that something is not exactly as stated or that the speaker is not sure about what they are saying.