total

adjective

to·tal | \ ˈtō-tᵊl

Definition of total

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : comprising or constituting a whole : entire the total amount

2 : absolute, utter a total failure a total stranger

3 : involving a complete and unified effort especially to achieve a desired effect total war total theater

total

noun

Definition of total (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : a product of addition : sum

2 : an entire quantity : amount

total

verb

totaled or totalled; totaling or totalling

Definition of total (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to add up : compute

2 : to amount to : number

3 : to make a total wreck of : demolish specifically : to damage so badly that the cost of repairs exceeds the market value of the vehicle totaled the car

total

adverb

Definition of total (Entry 4 of 4)

: totally

Other Words from total Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about total

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Choose the Right Synonym for total

Adjective

whole, entire, total, all mean including everything or everyone without exception. whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away. read the whole book entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added. the entire population was wiped out total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered. the total number of people present all may equal whole, entire, or total. all proceeds go to charity

Examples of total in a Sentence

Adjective

a total lack of support a total eclipse of the sun He demanded total control of the project. What was the total amount of the bill? the total number of words The country has a total population of about 100 million.

Noun

a total of 25 square miles that's the total for our wheat harvest this year

Verb

He carefully totaled the bill. two and two total four

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

In total, 11 Amazing Lash Studio stores throughout the greater Phoenix area will be accepting professional women’s attire, which will be donated to Dress for Success. — Stepfanie Romine, azcentral, "All month long, combine self-care with giving back — while empowering women," 7 June 2019 In total, Stillwater had 11 hits from eight different players, while Benning and Keira Murphy combined to pitch a four-hitter. — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, "Class 4A softball: Stillwater makes another run to state title game," 6 June 2019 In total, 34 players from the Houston area were selected in the 40-round draft, including nine players directly out of high school. — Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, "Former Houston high school stars taken in this year's MLB Draft," 6 June 2019 In total, Republicans voted to spend about $611 million more in state money over two years on the Health Services and Children and Family Services departments. — Scott Bauer, chicagotribune.com, "Wisconsin Republicans stand by rejection of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' plan to expand Medicaid," 4 June 2019 In total, 73 carriages will be used to ferry passengers back and forth. — Marcy Oster, sun-sentinel.com, "Knesset committee approves Jerusalem cable car plan," 4 June 2019 In total, 80 customers, a decent turnout, especially because some were first-timers like the ladies from San Antonio. — Molly Hennessy-fiske, latimes.com, "Texas once had 1,000 dance halls. Now there’s a rush to save those that remain," 4 June 2019 In total, Suga can boast a net worth of $8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "BTS Member Suga's Net Worth Will Leave You Shook," 28 May 2019 Four out of the seven base units within the SI will be changed in total, including the ampre, the kelvin, and the mole. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Why the World's Measuring Systems Just Changed—and What It Means," 20 May 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The current England men's national squad have a total of two-and-a-half times as many words devoted to them as the current England women's national squad. — Nick Levine, refinery29.com, "A Ridiculous Gender Bias On Wikipedia Is Finally Being Corrected," 8 June 2019 The four casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo had a total of $73.5 million in revenue from slots and table games, up 7% from $68.7 million, the Ohio Casino Control Commission reported. — Rich Exner, cleveland.com, "Gambling at Ohio’s casinos and racinos jumps 10% in May," 7 June 2019 However, San Jac officials plan to have a total of about six buildings within 10 to 20 years that will house about 14,000 students, said San Jac’s Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives Allatia Harris. — Kaila Contreras, Houston Chronicle, "San Jac’s Generation Park campus could host 14,000 students at build-out," 7 June 2019 There were 67 games last season in which one team had 70 percent or more possession, as opposed to three in total between 2003-04 and 2005-06. — Jonathan Wilson, SI.com, "England Enjoys Run of Success for Clubs, Country–Amid Backdrop of Unsettling Actions," 7 June 2019 According to a 2018 report from the University of North Carolina, nearly 1 in 5 newspapers, nearly 1,800 in total, have closed over the last 15 years. — Alana Abramson, Time, "Democrats Have Picked the First Target of Their Sweeping Tech Antitrust Probe," 6 June 2019 In total, authorities connected Glover to 105 charges dating back to February 2019, Ferguson said. — Olivia Prentzel, nola.com, "18-year-old accused of firing rifle at 9 people, breaking into more than 80 cars: NOPD," 5 June 2019 Clearly, there's still a long way to go until there's representative diversity at West Point—1,000 cadets in total graduated on Saturday. — Natasha Reda, Glamour, "West Point's Graduating Class of 2019 Had a Record Number of Black Female Cadets," 26 May 2019 Kody Brown, together with his four wives — Christine, Meri, Janelle, and Robyn — have a total of 18 kids to care for, giving the Duggars a run for their money. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "Here's a Breakdown of the 'Sister Wives' Kids and Brown Family Tree," 31 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Revenue generated by a larger commercial presence might offset NASA’s cost to operate and support the space station, which totals about $3 billion to $4 billion each year, according to a NASA Office of Inspector General report. — Samantha Masunaga, latimes.com, "NASA says you’re welcome aboard the Space Station – for $58 million," 7 June 2019 Bransfield gave cash gifts totaling $350,000 to fellow clergymen, The Post reported, including more than a dozen cardinals. — Jonathan M. Pitts, baltimoresun.com, "In report to Vatican, Baltimore Archbishop Lori deleted mention of gifts from bishop he investigated," 6 June 2019 In exchange, Singer directed payments totaling about $350,000 to a private soccer club controlled by Janke and Khosroshahin, according to the indictment. — Mark Morales And Jason Hanna, CNN, "Feds investigating ex-USC athletic director's possible ties to college admissions scam mastermind, source says," 6 June 2019 The largest chunk of expenses paid by the general fund — the city’s primary operating fund — is made up of personnel costs, which total about $41.4 million. — David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, "National City balances 2019-20 budget with fund balance," 6 June 2019 The audit also cited several payments totaling about $5,000 to the Union League Club of Chicago in 2015. — Christy Gutowski, chicagotribune.com, "DCFS says nonprofit misused taxpayer dollars, demands repayment of $100K," 5 June 2019 During his time in West Virginia, Bransfield gave three people who held that role checks totaling $38,000, records show. — Anchorage Daily News, "W. Virgnia bishop spent millions on himself and sent cash to priests he was accused of mistreating, Vatican report says," 5 June 2019 During his time in West Virginia, Bransfield gave three people who held that role checks totaling $38,000, records show. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Report: W. Va. bishop sent diocese funds to abuse victims," 5 June 2019 The Wall Street Journal reported that Russian defense conglomerate Rostec had cut its staff of defense advisers in Venezuela, once totaling about 1,000, to a few dozen. — Washington Post, "Trump said Russia was getting out of Venezuela. The Kremlin says that’s not true.," 4 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

The 6-foot-2 sophomore-to-be combo guard out of Lawrence Free State High, who played 11 minutes total at KU in 2018-19, set the Firebirds’ single-season scoring record with 456 points in 2017-18. — Gary Bedore, kansascity, "Walk-on guard Garrett Luinstra to leave KU basketball team after one season," 4 June 2019 As of Monday, 27 people — 11 families total — were being quarantined in hotels. — David Maung, San Diego Union-Tribune, "San Diego migrant shelter still experiencing flu outbreak," 3 June 2019 There are seven styles total, based on the brand's most popular denim pieces, with prices start at $98 and go up to $128. — Ana Colón, Glamour, "Reformation's Cult-Favorite Jeans Will Now Be Available in Sizes 0 Through 24," 12 Nov. 2018 The ministry is proposing total defense spending of around $47.7 billion for the fiscal year starting in April, excluding funds to support U.S. forces in Japan. — Alastair Gale, WSJ, "Japan to Spend Billions on U.S. Missile-Defense System," 31 Aug. 2018 Others have estimated that the lawsuits total above 1,600. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Blockbuster drug Abilify nears Judgment Day over compulsive gambling, sex," 3 Aug. 2018 Season with salt and pepper and roast, tossing after 12 minutes, until golden brown and tender, 20 to 25 minutes total; fold in baby kale and reserved bread cubes. — Anna Helm Baxter, Good Housekeeping, "Roasted Squash Panzanella," 24 Oct. 2018 There were 48 stops total resulting in eight arrests and 19 verbal warnings. — Olivia King, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State Police ticket crackdown targets Southfield," 3 July 2018 He was charged with two earned runs total after LH Tom Windle (W, 4-2) pitched 2/3 of an inning in relief. — Nick Tricome, Philly.com, "Phillies minor league report: Lehigh Valley, Reading sweep doubleheaders," 27 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'total.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.