sort
Definitions
A type, kind, or category of thing.
种类，类型
To arrange or separate things into groups by type.
分类，把…分门别类
To deal with or resolve a problem or situation (often 'sort out').
解决，处理（常用 sort out）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin sors, sortis, the 'lot' you drew by chance — which became your 'share' and then the 'kind' of thing you were dealt. As a noun, a sort is a kind or type. As a verb, to sort reverses the picture: you deal many things back into their proper kinds, i.e. arrange them by category.
Root sort still carries 6 more wordsWhy It Means This
The leap from 'lot/fate' to 'kind' makes sense once you see that the lot you drew assigned you to a group — your share, your class. The idiom 'out of sorts' (feeling unwell or irritable) preserves the older sense of 'fate, condition': your lot isn't sitting right.
Usage Guide
- sort of (informal hedge): It's sort of complicated — means 'somewhat, kind of.'
- sort out (BrE-leaning, very common): resolve a problem, or tidy/organize: sort out the mess, sort out a deal.
- of sorts: a poor or makeshift example: a meal of sorts.
- out of sorts: slightly unwell or grumpy.
Example Sentences
- 1.
What sort of music do you usually listen to?
- 2.
She sorted the photos into folders by year.
- 3.
Don't worry, I'll sort it out before the meeting.
- 4.
He's not the sort of person who gives up easily.
Easily Confused
sort vs type vs kind — all mean 'category' and are largely interchangeable in 'what sort/type/kind of...'. sort and kind feel more conversational; type is a touch more technical or precise (blood type, not 'blood sort'). Only sort takes the phrasal verb 'sort out.'