Meaning & use
sorties
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“sorties” is a form of “sortie”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountable
A short trip away from a place, especially one that is difficult or done for a purpose.
Grammar: Countable; the singular is 'sortie', and it is often followed by 'into' or 'to'.
Patterns
- a sortie into something
- a sortie to somewhere
- make a sortie
We made a quick sortie into town for bread and milk.
Her first sortie into politics ended badly.
He planned a sortie to the shops before the storm arrived.
nouncountablemilitary
One flight or mission by a military aircraft, especially a bombing or combat flight.
Grammar: Countable; the singular is 'sortie'. Common in military and news reports.
Patterns
- fly a sortie
- carry out a sortie
- a bombing sortie
The squadron flew twenty sorties that night.
Each sortie lasted about four hours.
The report said the aircraft had completed its sortie safely.
nouncountablemilitaryold-fashioned
A sudden attack made by soldiers from a defended position against the enemy outside.
Grammar: Countable; the singular is 'sortie'. Used mainly in historical or military writing.
Patterns
- make a sortie
- a sortie against someone
- a sortie from somewhere
The garrison made a sortie against the besieging army.
Their sorties from the fort were always at night.
A sortie by the defenders caught the attackers by surprise.
Word forms
| singular | sortie |
|---|
Common combinations
- fly a sortie
- The pilot flew a sortie over the coast.
- carry out a sortie
- The unit carried out a sortie at dawn.
- a bombing sortie
- Bombing sorties continued through the week.
- a sortie into something
- This was his first sortie into business.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mission
- Use 'mission' for the purpose or task of a flight; 'sortie' focuses on the flight itself.
- raid
- A 'raid' is a sudden attack; a 'sortie' can also mean a flight or a short trip, so it is broader.
- excursion
- An 'excursion' is usually a pleasant organized trip; a 'sortie' is often short and practical or difficult.
Word family
- sortie noun
- The singular form of the same word.
Commonly confused: sorties or sorts?
sorties vs sorts
'Sorts' is the plural of 'sort' (a kind or type); 'sorties' is the plural of 'sortie' (a trip or flight).
Practice
Which sentence uses 'sorties' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Sorties' means flights or missions by aircraft, so 'flew several sorties' fits. The other options confuse it with 'sorts' (kinds) or wrongly use it as a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sorties”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.