Dictionary

out of sorts en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Comes from printing terminology where "sort" means a metal type for printing a particular letter.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) Irritable or somewhat unwell, with vague medical symptoms.
   • "My lads," said he, "we've had a hot day and are all tired and out of sorts." 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, chapter 13, in Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC:
   • Carlo Ancelotti's out-of-sorts team struggled to hit the target in the first half as Bolton threatened with Matthew Taylor lashing just wide. 2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton”, in BBC:
   • [T]he trooper fails to fasten the brooch. His hand shakes, he is nervous, and it falls off. "Would any one believe this?" says he, catching it as it drops and looking round. "I am so out of sorts that I bungle at an easy job like this!" 1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, “Dutiful Friendship”, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC, pages 474–475:
2. (dated) With some letters or sorts of type deficient or exhausted in the case or font.

Forms

Relateds

out of spirits

Synonyms

out of order

Translations (14)

nl uit zijn element (irritable or somewhat unwell) · mi maninohea (irritable or somewhat unwell) · es pachucho (irritable or somewhat unwell) · pt indisposto (irritable or somewhat unwell) · hu rosszul (irritable or somewhat unwell) · pl nie w sosie (irritable or somewhat unwell) · is vellulegur (irritable or somewhat unwell) · es indispuesto (irritable or somewhat unwell) · pt de mal humor (irritable or somewhat unwell) · is vera illa fyrir kallaður (irritable or somewhat unwell) · ca pioc (irritable or somewhat unwell) · cs ne ve své kůži (irritable or somewhat unwell) · it fuori fase (irritable or somewhat unwell) · hu rossz passzban (irritable or somewhat unwell)