special sort: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal
Quick answer
What does “special sort” mean?
A particular kind or type, often one distinguished by unusual or distinctive qualities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A particular kind or type, often one distinguished by unusual or distinctive qualities.
A person or thing considered to be distinctive, exceptional, or unusual in nature, often with a slightly humorous or affectionate nuance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and idiomatic in British English, particularly in the phrase 'a special sort of person/thing'. In American English, 'special kind of' is more frequent, though 'special sort' is understood.
Connotations
In British English, it often implies charming eccentricity or mild peculiarity. In American English, the nuance can lean slightly more toward irony or understated critique.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in British English corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “special sort” in a Sentence
[determiner] + special sort + of + [noun phrase]be + a + special sortVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might be used in branding or marketing to suggest a uniquely superior product category.
Academic
Rare; more precise terminology like 'distinct category' or 'specific typology' is preferred.
Everyday
Common in informal, often humorous or ironic, description of people or situations. 'He's a special sort of friend.'
Technical
Not used in formal technical registers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “special sort”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “special sort”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “special sort”
- Using 'special sort' as a verb (e.g., 'I will special sort this').
- Omitting the article: 'He is special sort of person.' (Correct: 'He is a special sort of person.')
- Overusing in formal writing where 'distinct category' or 'specific type' would be more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is predominantly informal. In formal writing, phrases like 'distinct category', 'particular type', or 'specific variety' are more appropriate.
Yes, especially when referring to a person. For example: 'Oh, he's a special sort, that one.' It implies 'a special sort of person'.
They are very similar in meaning. 'Special sort of' is more common in British English and can sound slightly more colloquial or quaint. 'Special kind of' is more neutral and common in American English.
No, it is context-dependent. It can be positive ('a special sort of genius'), neutral ('a special sort of metal'), or ironically negative ('a special sort of chaos'). The tone of voice and context provide the clue.
A particular kind or type, often one distinguished by unusual or distinctive qualities.
Special sort: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɛʃl̩ sɔːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɛʃəl sɔːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a special sort of madness”
- “a special sort of hell”
- “a special sort of genius”
- “a breed/sort of their own”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'sorting hat' (from Harry Potter) that puts people not into Hogwarts houses, but into a single, uniquely decorated 'SPECIAL' hat. It's for a special sort of person.
Conceptual Metaphor
CATEGORIES ARE CONTAINERS (a 'sort' is a container for things with similar qualities; 'special' marks this container as distinct or exceptional).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'special sort' used CORRECTLY and idiomatically?