Sort Definition and Meaning
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 5, 2024
Sort means to arrange items in a particular order based on specific criteria, such as size, type, or alphabetical order. e.g., She needed to sort the files alphabetically for easier access.
Table of Contents
Sort Definitions
To arrange data in ascending or descending order in computing.
The program can sort numbers from smallest to largest with a single command.
To prioritize tasks or items according to importance or urgency.
He had to sort his tasks for the day to meet all his deadlines.
To classify individuals or things as being of a particular type or category.
The application allows users to sort contacts into personal and professional groups.
To categorize or organize items into groups based on common characteristics.
The librarian began to sort the books by genre.
To separate items from a mixture into categories.
The recycling center uses machines to sort plastics from metals.
To select or separate according to quality.
The factory workers sort the fruit, discarding any that are too ripe.
To sift through information or data to find what is needed.
Researchers sort through vast amounts of data to identify trends.
To resolve or organize one’s thoughts, feelings, or affairs.
After the meeting, she took some time to sort her thoughts before responding.
To arrange a list of words, names, or other texts alphabetically, numerically, or by date.
The software automatically sorts the list of participants by their registration date.
To go through a collection or accumulation to remove or separate certain items.
It's time to sort through your closet and donate clothes you no longer wear.
A group of persons or things of the same general character; a kind. See Usage Note at kind2.
Character or nature
Books of a subversive sort.
One that exemplifies the characteristics of or serves a similar function to another
"A large dinner-party ... made a sort of general introduction for her to the society of the neighbourhood" (George Eliot).
A person; an individual
The clerk is a decent sort.
(Computers) An operation that arranges data in a specified way
Did an alphabetic sort on the columns of data.
(Archaic) A way of acting or behaving
"in this sort the simple household lived / From day to day" (William Wordsworth).
To place or arrange according to class, kind, or size; classify
Sorted the books into boxes by genre.
To separate from others
Sort the wheat from the chaff.
A general type.
Sort Snonyms
Category
A class or division of people or things regarded as having particular shared characteristics.
Winners are selected from each category of the competition.
Type
A category of people or things having common characteristics.
This type of architecture is unique to the region.
Class
A system of ordering society whereby people are divided into sets based on perceived social or economic status.
The product is considered top class in its market.
Group
A number of people or things that are located, gathered, or classed together.
A group of students volunteered for the project.
Kind
A group of people or things having similar characteristics.
She collects all kinds of rare books.
Order
A category of biological classification ranking above the family and below the class.
Carnivores belong to the order Carnivora.
Species
A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
The forest is home to numerous plant species.
Breed
A stock of animals or plants within a species having a distinctive appearance and typically having been developed by deliberate selection.
That breed of dog is known for its intelligence.
Division
A large and distinct unit or group within a larger organization or structure.
The division of labor in the company improves efficiency.
Variety
The quality or state of being different or diverse; the absence of uniformity or monotony.
The store offers a wide variety of products.
Sort Example Sentences
Before the move, we need to sort all these books by author.
To manage your time better, sort your tasks by priority.
Volunteers helped sort the donations into different categories.
You can sort your emails into folders to stay organized.
The database software can sort thousands of records in seconds.
During their research, they had to sort through historical documents.
The teacher asked the students to sort the shapes by color and size.
Sort the coins by denomination before rolling them for deposit.
Sort the names alphabetically to streamline the registration process.
After downloading, the app will sort your photos by date and location.
He decided to sort his music collection by genre and artist.
We must sort these issues before proceeding with the project.
Every spring, I sort through my wardrobe to clear out items I don't use.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in sort?
There is 1 syllable in "sort."
What is a stressed syllable in sort?
In the word "sort," the only syllable is stressed.
Why is it called sort?
It's called sort because it refers to the action of arranging or categorizing items according to specific criteria.
What is the pronunciation of sort?
It is pronounced as /sɔːrt/ (British English) or /sɔrt/ (American English).
What part of speech is sort?
"Sort" can be a noun or a verb.
What is another term for sort?
Another term for sort is "classify" or "organize."
How do we divide sort into syllables?
Sort is a single syllable word and thus is not divided.
What is the verb form of sort?
The verb form is "to sort."
How is sort used in a sentence?
You need to sort these documents by their urgency before the end of the day.
Which conjunction is used with sort?
Conjunctions like "and" or "or" can be used when listing multiple sorts or categories.
What is the second form of sort?
The second form is "sorted" (past tense of the verb).
What is the third form of sort?
The third form is "sorted" (past participle of the verb).
Is sort a negative or positive word?
The word "sort" is neutral; its connotation depends on context.
Is sort a collective noun?
No, "sort" is not typically used as a collective noun.
Is the word sort Gerund?
"Sorting" would be the gerund form of the verb "to sort."
Is the word “sort” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Sort" can be a direct object in a sentence, e.g., "I like this sort of music."
Which article is used with sort?
Both "a" and "the" can be used with "sort," depending on the context.
What is the root word of sort?
The root of "sort" comes from the Latin "sortire," meaning to allot, choose, or arrange.
What is the first form of sort?
The first form is "sort" (as a verb).
What is the plural form of sort?
The plural form is "sorts."
Is the sort term a metaphor?
The term can be used metaphorically in contexts referring to categorizing or organizing abstract concepts.
Is the word sort imperative?
Yes, "sort" can be used in an imperative form, such as in instructions.
Which preposition is used with sort?
Common prepositions used with "sort" include "of," "into," and "by."
Is sort an adverb?
No, "sort" is not an adverb.
Is sort an abstract noun?
As a noun, "sort" is concrete when referring to a type or kind, but it can be considered abstract when referring to the concept of categorizing.
Is sort a vowel or consonant?
The word "sort" starts with a consonant.
Which determiner is used with sort?
Determiners like "this," "that," "every," or "any" can be used with "sort."
Which vowel is used before sort?
The article "a" is used before "sort" when it is singular and unspecified, e.g., "a sort of feeling."
What is the singular form of sort?
The singular form is "sort."
Is sort a noun or adjective?
"Sort" is primarily a noun and a verb, not an adjective.
Is sort a countable noun?
Yes, "sort" is a countable noun when referring to types or categories.
What is the opposite of sort?
The opposite of sort could be "mix" or "jumble."
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
