total

1 of 4

adjective

to·​tal ˈtō-tᵊl 

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

2 of 4

noun

1

: a product of addition : sum

2

: an entire quantity : amount

total

3 of 4

verb

totaled or totalled; totaling or totalling

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

4 of 4

adverb

: totally

Synonyms of total

Adjective

• absolute
• complete
• sheer
• utter
• unconditional
• pure
• simple
• definite
• outright

Noun

• sum
• totality
• full
• whole
• aggregate

Verb

• number
• average
• aggregate

Choose the Right Synonym for total

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

Some estimates show as many as 2,500 total civilians died in the attack. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 24 Nov. 2025

When consumed in one sitting, this results in a higher total carbohydrate intake than your average meal, leading to a larger rise in blood sugar levels. —Verywell Health, 24 Nov. 2025

Noun

There are a total of ten different colors to choose from, from rich and bold merlot to cozy gray flannel. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2025

In The Carman Family Deaths, Linda's cousin Chuck LaPenna estimated that Nathan received a total of about $100,000 from John every year. —Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025

Verb

Ware totaled 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 shooting from the foul line and 14 rebounds in 28 minutes. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Nov. 2025

The Jayhawks totaled 323 yards of offense. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 22 Nov. 2025

Adverb

Collecting three weeks total atop the Billboard 200, Eternal Sunshine got a second life earlier this year with a deluxe edition released a few months after the November premiere of Wicked. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2025

Hot 100 and 45 weeks total on the chart. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin totalis, from Latin totus whole, entire

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1716, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1601, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing total

• come as a (complete/total) surprise
• grand total
• sum total
• the sum total
• total depravity
• total eclipse
• total recall

Rhymes for total

• motile
• anecdotal
• hypocotyl
• sacerdotal
• subtotal

Kids Definition

total

1 of 3 adjective

to·​tal ˈtōt-ᵊl 

1

: of or relating to the whole of something

a total eclipse of the sun

2

: making up the whole

the total amount

3

: being such to the fullest degree

total ruin

4

: making use of every means to do something

total war

total

2 of 3 noun

1

: a product of addition : sum

2

: an entire amount

total

3 of 3 verb

totaled or totalled; totaling or totalling

1

: add sense 3

2

: to amount to

donations totaled $120

3

: to make a total wreck of

totaled the car