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

Kevin Keen is responsible for sorting out loans for academy prospects. —Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 5 June 2026

But the question his announcement leaves open, and that Hollywood is trying to sort out, is who gets to decide where the tool stops. —David Deal, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026

The rest of the balance can be frozen while the matter is sorted out. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 4 June 2026

Moreover, today’s moon in Capricorn adds to this no-nonsense approach, encouraging us to sort out our priorities and embrace the highs and lows of process. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

Rhymes for sort out

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