sortie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical (military/aviation), occasionally journalistic.
Quick answer
What does “sortie” mean?
A short, sudden military attack, especially one made by troops from a defensive position, or a single operational flight by a military aircraft.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short, sudden military attack, especially one made by troops from a defensive position, or a single operational flight by a military aircraft.
An excursion or foray into an unfamiliar or challenging activity or situation. Often implies a brief, temporary venture outside one's usual environment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Both use the noun predominantly, but verb use is rare outside formal military contexts.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in general use in the UK. In the US, it's perhaps more readily associated with air force operations.
Frequency
More frequent in military/aviation contexts in both varieties. Similar overall frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “sortie” in a Sentence
[make/conduct/fly/launch] a sortie [against/over/into] [target/area]sortie from [base/position]return from a sortieVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sortie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The helicopters sortied at dawn to provide close air support.
- The garrison sortied against the besieging forces.
American English
- The fighter squadron sortied twice in one night.
- Historians described how the defenders would sortie to disrupt enemy lines.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Metaphorical: 'The CEO's sortie into social media marketing was short-lived.'
Academic
Used in historical, political, or military studies to describe tactical operations.
Everyday
Uncommon. Might be used humorously for a brief trip: 'I'm just popping out on a quick sortie to the shops.'
Technical
Standard term in military and aviation for a single combat mission or attack from a besieged position.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sortie”
- Mispronouncing it as /sɔːrˈtaɪ/ (like 'fortify').
- Using it as a general synonym for 'journey' or 'trip' without the connotation of a brief, risky venture.
- Confusing spelling: 'sorty', 'sortey'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is rare outside formal military reporting. It means 'to carry out or go on a sortie'.
No. Its original and still valid use is for any sudden attack by troops from a defensive position (e.g., a castle). However, it is now most commonly associated with military aviation.
In aviation/military contexts, they are often synonymous. However, a 'mission' can be broader (e.g., a supply mission). 'Sortie' specifically implies a single operational flight or attack, often in a combat context.
Only humorously or metaphorically, to imply the trip is brief, potentially chaotic, or a venture 'out into the unknown'. It is not standard for a routine errand.
A short, sudden military attack, especially one made by troops from a defensive position, or a single operational flight by a military aircraft.
Sortie is usually formal, technical (military/aviation), occasionally journalistic. in register.
Sortie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɔː.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɔːr.ti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Often used in the phrase 'make a sortie into' metaphorically (e.g., 'He made a brief sortie into politics.')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SORTIE as a SORT of mission you go OUT on and then come back from quickly. SORT + OUT + IE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A JOURNEY IS A MILITARY ATTACK. / AN ATTEMPT IS A RAID. (e.g., 'her sortie into stand-up comedy')
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'sortie' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?