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total
/ˈtoʊtəl/
complete or entire
The total cost of the project was $10,000.
The complete or entire cost of the project was $10,000.
general
the whole amount or sum of something
The total number of attendees was 200.
The complete number of attendees was 200.
Often used in financial, mathematical, or quantitative contexts.
general
complete or absolute
She made a total recovery after the surgery.
She made a complete recovery after the surgery.
Used to emphasize completeness or extremity.
Collocations
total costthe entire amount of money requiredtotal amountthe entire quantity or sumtotal destructioncomplete ruin or devastation
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Adjective vs. Noun
Use 'total' as an adjective to describe something as complete (e.g., 'total darkness'), and as a noun to refer to a sum (e.g., 'the total is $50').
Gold Rule
Avoid Redundancy
Avoid phrases like 'total sum' or 'total amount' as they are redundant; 'total' already implies a sum.
Word Origin
From Old French 'total', from Latin 'totalis', meaning 'whole, entire'.
Usage Notes
Can be used as a noun (e.g., 'the total') or an adjective (e.g., 'total destruction').
Word Breakdown
tot
whole, entire
root-al
pertaining to
suffixEnglish Dictionary