sort out

1 of 2

verb

sorted out; sorting out; sorts out

1

: to understand or find (something, such as a reason or a solution) by thinking

I'm trying to sort out a way to do it.

2

: to find an answer or solution for (something)

He's still trying to sort out his problems.

We need to get these problems sorted out as soon as possible.

They couldn't come up with a solution and decided to wait to see whether problem sorted itself out.

3

: to solve the problems of (someone)

They're still trying to sort their son out.

I just need a little more time to sort myself out.

4

British, informal : to deal in a forceful way with (someone who is causing problems)

I told my brother they were bullying me, and he promised to sort them out (for me).

sort-out

2 of 2

noun

British

: an activity in which someone makes a room, closet, etc., neat and organized

Let's have a sort-out of the attic.

Examples of sort out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

LeBron in a homecoming game, Maxey’s ability to take over and a Cavs team still sorting out its rotation make this the cleanest plus-money shot of the night. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

This will get sorted out as the states come through and see the business side of things. — CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

The dissenting justices would have permitted temporarily pausing the execution for 10 days to sort out questions over the lethal drugs. — Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2026

Almost a month into Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery into Skydance, pieces are still coming together, and there is probably no area with more pieces to sort out than Skydance’s Direct to Consumer. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026

Rhymes for sort out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout