sort of
Somewhat; partially; a little. I'm happy that it's summertime, but I'm still sort of sad that school is over. A: "Are you feeling better?" B: "Sort of. My throat isn't sore anymore but I'm still congested."
sort of something
and kind of somethingalmost something; somewhat; somehow. Isn't it sort of cold out? That was kind of a stupid thing to do, wasn't it?
sort of
and kind ofYes, but only to a small degree. Bob: Do you like what you're doing in school? Alice: Kind of. Henry: What do you think about all these new laws? Do they worry you? John: Sort of.
ˈkind of/ˈsort of
(informal) used with adjectives, adverbs and verbs when something is difficult to describe or when the word you use is not exactly what you mean: She kind of smiled at me.My new dress is sort of green.He said it sort of nervously.These phrases are sometimes written or spoken as kinda or sorta.
sort of
Informal Somewhat; rather: "Gambling and prostitution ... have been prohibited, but only sort of" (George F. Will).