assort
/ə'sɔ:t/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (Transitive):
- To arrange or sort items into categories or classes based on shared characteristics.
- To supply or stock with a varied selection of goods.
Verb (Intransitive):
- To agree in kind or character; to be harmonious or match.
- (Archaic) To associate or keep company with someone.
Usage and Examples
Transitive Verb (to categorize):
- The librarian will assort the new books by genre before shelving them.
- A key task in data analysis is to assort the information into meaningful groups.
Transitive Verb (to supply variety):
- The store is well assorted with products for every budget.
- Their job is to assort the gift baskets with a mix of sweets and savories.
Intransitive Verb (to match or harmonize):
- The new curtains assort perfectly with the room's color scheme.
- His modern ideas do not assort with the company's traditional values.
Advanced Usage
- "to assort with" (archaic: to associate with):
- This usage is now rare. In modern English, "associate with" is preferred.
- He was known to assort with artists and poets. (archaic/formal)
Variants and Related Words
- Assortment (n): A collection of various kinds of things; a variety.
- The box contained an assortment of chocolates.
- Assorted (adj): Of various sorts; miscellaneous.
- A packet of assorted biscuits.
Synonyms
- Categorize / Classify: To arrange in categories.
- Sort: To separate and arrange according to class or kind.
- Match / Harmonize: To correspond or be in agreement.
- Stock / Supply: To provide with a variety.
Phrasal Verbs / Constructions
- Assort with: This construction is used with the intransitive meanings.
- To be in harmony or agreement with something.
- The fabric's texture assorts with the rustic decor.
- (Archaic) To associate or consort with someone.
- She does not assort with people of dubious character. (formal)
Related Idioms
- Well-assorted: Describing a group or collection that is well-matched or forms a good variety.
- They are a well-assorted couple, sharing many interests.
- The well-assorted menu offered something for everyone.
Verb
- arrange or order by classes or categories
- How would you classify these pottery shards--are they prehistoric?
- keep company with; hang out with
- He associates with strange people
- She affiliates with her colleagues