assort

IPA/əˈsɔːt/
KK[əsˈɔrt]IPA/əˈsɔːrt/

assort — verb

  • assortpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • assorts3rd person singular
  • assorting-ing form
  • assortedpast simple

1. to separate things by type, size, or another feature so similar ones are put tog

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to separate things by type, size, or another feature so similar ones are put together.

Example

The warehouse staff assort the screws by size before packing.

assort + noun + by + feature

Caio assorted the art cards into boxes for the school fair.

assort + noun + into + groups

Common collocations
  • assort by size
  • assort into boxes
  • assort carefully
Synonyms
  • sort

    the normal everyday verb for putting things into order or groups

  • classify

    more systematic, often with named categories or rules

  • categorize

    modern and technical, especially for information or data

Antonyms
  • mix up

    to put different things together without keeping groups clear

Grammar Patterns

assort + noun + by + feature

assort + noun + into + groups

Usage Note

Often followed by 'by' for the feature used in sorting, or 'into' before the groups created. In modern everyday English, 'sort' is more common.

Common Mistakes

Please assort the files in three boxes.
Please assort the files into three boxes.
use 'into' before the groups you create.

2. of genes or traits, to separate into different sex cells as they form, creating

2.verbintransitiveC2
Definition

of genes or traits, to separate into different sex cells as they form, creating new combinations in offspring.

Example

In pea plants, the colour genes assort when sex cells form.

genes assort

These two traits assort separately, so the seedlings show four patterns.

Common collocations
  • genes assort
  • assort independently
  • traits assort
Synonyms
  • segregate

    technical genetics term that stresses separation into different cells

  • separate

    broader and less technical than the biology use of 'assort'

Grammar Patterns

genes assort

traits assort independently

Usage Note

Most often used in biology with genes, chromosomes, or traits. 'Assort independently' is a common pattern when two traits separate without affecting each other.

3. to spend time with a certain group of people and move in their social circle.

3.verbintransitiveC2
Definition

to spend time with a certain group of people and move in their social circle.

Example

After school, Eli assorted with older boys from the docks.

assort with + people

Her father warned her not to assort with gamblers again.

Common collocations
  • assort with gamblers
  • assort with nobles
  • assort socially
Synonyms
  • associate

    neutral and much more common in present-day English

  • mix with

    more informal and often used for social contact

  • keep company with

    older phrasing with a similar social meaning

Antonyms
  • avoid

    to stay away from a person or group

Grammar Patterns

assort with + people

Usage Note

Usually followed by 'with' before the people involved. This sense is old-fashioned and appears mainly in historical or literary writing.

Common Mistakes

She assorted to gamblers.
She assorted with gamblers.
this sense normally takes 'with' before the people involved.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For the main sense of 'assort', the closest everyday verb is 'sort'. 'Sort' is the normal choice when you put papers, clothes, or data into order. 'Assort' is much rarer and sounds more formal or old-fashioned, especially in written instructions or descriptions of stock. 'Classify' is more systematic: it suggests using clear categories or rules, as in science, libraries, or research. 'Categorize' is close to 'classify', but it feels slightly more modern and technical, especially for information or survey data. 'Group' is broader and simpler, since it only means putting things together, not necessarily by a careful method. You might sort receipts at home, classify insects in a textbook, categorize customer comments in a spreadsheet, and group chairs before an event. In present-day English, many speakers would choose 'sort' where an older text might use 'assort'.

sort ↗classify ↗categorize ↗group ↗

Etymology

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1