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

Borges sees a bumpy period of adjustment in the short term as the industry sorts out processes to ensure that human creatives still oversee the work of AI’s crafty agents. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Secondary support And Miami will look to get those big turnovers while sorting out its secondary. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026

The idea to put a puck-moving defenceman with a bigger, more stay-at-home partner makes sense, but Nause got into trouble at both blue lines, creating odd-man rushes that Freij couldn’t sort out by himself. — Murat Ates, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Due to the discomfort, my doctor ordered me to remain at home until it can be sorted out. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for sort out

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