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

But the slate of games Sunday sorted out the rest of the postseason bracket. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Following the coach’s firing in July 2023, more than 260 Northwestern faculty members signed a petition calling for the stadium plans to be halted until at least athletic department’s problems could be sorted out. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026

That knowledge could be helpful for sorting out contentious claims about quantum effects in life — including in the brain. — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2026

That will be sorted out Saturday night or Sunday morning, with Notre Dame at North Carolina also placed on a six-day hold. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for sort out

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