An assortment is a collection of different things grouped together. When you open a box of assorted chocolates, you find an assortment of flavors: some with caramel, some with nuts, some with cream filling. A hardware store keeps an assortment of screws, nails, and bolts in different sizes so customers can find exactly what they need.

The key idea is variety within the group. A basket containing only red apples isn't really an assortment, but a basket with red apples, green apples, pears, and oranges definitely is. A well-stocked classroom library offers an assortment of books: mysteries, adventure stories, biographies, poetry, and science fiction, giving every reader something appealing.

You'll often see this word in stores: “assorted colors available” means you can choose from several different colors. When someone brings an assorted plate of cookies to a party, they've thoughtfully included different types so everyone can pick their favorite. The variety is what makes something an assortment rather than just a pile of identical items.