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⇱ SORT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
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1
a
: a group set up on the basis of any characteristic in common : class, kind
b
: one approximating the character or qualities of another
a sort of latter-day Abe Lincoln
c
: person, individual
he's not a bad sort
2
archaic : group, company
3
a
archaic : method or manner of acting : way, manner
b
: character, nature
people of an evil sort
4
a
: a letter or character that is one element of a font
b
: a character or piece of type that is not part of a regular font
5
: an instance of sorting
a numeric sort of a data file

sort

2 of 2

verb

sorted; sorting; sorts

transitive verb

1
: to put in a certain place, order, or group according to characteristics
sort the mail
sorted the winners from the losers
sorting the data alphabetically
β€”often used with out
sort out [=separate] the different sizes
sorted out the socks by color
2
chiefly Scotland : to put to rights : put in order
3
a
: to examine in order to clarify β€”used with out
sorting out his problems
b
: to free of confusion : clarify β€”used with out
waited until things sorted themselves out

intransitive verb

1
: to sort or examine things especially in search of something
sort through some old papers
2
: to join or associate with others especially of the same kind
sort with thieves
3
: agree, harmonize
His benign view sorts badly with reality β€¦β€”πŸ‘ Image
Henry Trewhitt

Synonyms of sort

Choose the Right Synonym for sort

type, kind, sort, nature, description, character mean a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities.

type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

Examples of sort in a Sentence

Noun What sort of car do you drive? He's not a bad sort. She's not the sort to complain. The program did a numeric sort of the data. Verb She started to sort the mail. They sorted the winners from the losers. The program can sort data alphabetically or numerically.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The test also served as a rehearsal of sorts for re-entry day when the astronauts will suit back up for their return to Earth. β€”πŸ‘ Image
William Harwood, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026 Claims of that sort can be overwhelming β€” how can a team become so many foreign things at once? β€”πŸ‘ Image
Noah White, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
The workers check tickets and fares, answer questions and perform other customer service functions, issue citations for violating train rules, attempt to maintain peace, assist operators and track the number of passengers and sort them into different fare categories. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026 Take a quiet minute to sort intimidatingly tedious paperwork or acknowledge a recent fear. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sort

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, fate, lot, characteristic, from Latin sort-, sors lot, share, category β€” more at series

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sort was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing sort

Rhymes for sort

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œSort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sort. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
a
: a group of persons or things that have something in common : class
b
: person sense 1, individual
not a bad sort
2
a
archaic : method or manner of acting : way, manner
b
: general disposition : nature
people of an evil sort

sort

2 of 2 verb
1
: to separate and arrange by kind or class : classify
sort mail
sort out socks by color
2
: agree sense 6, suit
our views sort poorly with theirs
3
: search
sort through some old papers
sorter noun

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