sort

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [C] a group or type of people or things that are similar in a particular way: 'What sort of music do you like?' 'Oh, all sorts.' * This sort of problem is quite common. / These sorts of problems are quite common. * He's the sort of person who only cares about money. * There are all sorts of jobs you could do. * For dessert there's a fruit pie of some sort (= you are not sure what kind). * (spoken) Most people went on training courses of one sort or another (= of various types) last year. * (spoken) There were snacks-peanuts, olives, that sort of thing. * (spoken) There are all sorts of activities (= many different ones) for kids at the camp site. * (spoken) What sort of price did you want to pay? (= approximately how much) * (spoken) What sort of time do you call this? (= I'm very angry that you have come so late). -< KIND 2 [C,usually sing.] (informal, especially BrE) a particular type of person: My brother would never cheat on his wife; he's not that sort. 3 (computing) [sing.] the process of putting data in a particular order: to do a sort IDIOMS it takes all sorts (to make a world) used to say that you think sb's behaviour is very strange or unusual but that everyone is different and likes different things: 'They spent their honeymoon mountain climbing.' 'Oh well, it takes all sorts!' of sorts (informal) used when you are saying that sth is not a good example of a particular type of thing: He offered us an apology of sorts and we accepted it. out of sorts (especially BrE) ill/sick or upset: She was tired and out of sorts by the time she arrived home. * Are you feeling all right? You look a bit out of sorts. sort of (informal) 1 to some extent but in a way that you cannot easily describe: She sort of pretends that she doesn't really care. * 'Do you understand?' 'Sort of.' 2 (also sort of like) (BrE, spoken) used when you cannot think of a good word to use to describe sth, or what to say next: We're sort of like doing it the wrong way. a sort of sth (informal) used for describing sth in a not very exact way: I had a sort of feeling that he wouldn't come. * They're a sort of greenish-blue colour. moreatKINDn. verb [VN] 1 ~ sth (into sth) to arrange things in groups or in a particular order according to their type, etc.; to separate things of one type from others: sorting the mail * The computer sorts the words into alphabetical order. * Rubbish can easily be separated and sorted into plastics, glass and paper. * Women and children sorted the ore from the rock. seealsoSORTOUT 2 [oftenpassive] (informal, especially BrE) to deal with a problem or organize sth/sb in a satisfactory way: Don't worry. We'll soon have this sorted. * It's our problem. We'll get it sorted. * It's all sorted. * It's time you got yourself sorted. IDIOMS see MANn., SHEEP, WHEAT PHRASALVERBS sort itself out (of a problem) to stop being a problem without anyone having to take action: It will all sort itself out in the end. sort sth>-<out 1 (informal) to organize the contents of sth; to tidy sth: The cupboards need sorting out. 2 to organize sth in a satisfactory way: If you're going to the bus station, can you sort out the tickets for tomorrow? sort sth>-<out (from sth) to separate sth from a larger group: Could you sort out the toys that can be thrown away? * It was difficult to sort out the lies from the truth. relatednounSORT-OUT sort sth/sb / yourself out (especially BrE) to deal with sb's/your own problems in a satisfactory way: If you can wait a moment, I'll sort it all out for you. * You load up the car and I'll sort the kids out. sort sb>-<out (informal) to deal with sb who is causing trouble, etc. especially by punishing or attacking them: Wait till I get my hands on him-I'll soon sort him out! sort through sth (for sth) to look through a number of things, either in order to find sth or to put them in order: I sorted through my paperwork. * She sorted through her suitcase for something to wear.