total
Pronunciation
/ˈtoʊtəl/

Definition & Meaning of "total"in English

Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
relational
Superlative
most total
Comparative
more total
ungradable
Examples
The total cost of the renovations exceeded their initial budget, requiring them to make adjustments to their plans.
02

indicating something that is at its greatest degree possible

total definition and meaning
Examples
She demanded total silence during the exam.
03

complete or absolute, often in the sense of something being fully or utterly the case

Examples
His reaction to the news was total shock; he could n't speak for minutes.
to total
01

to add up numbers or quantities to find the overall amount

Transitive: to total numbers or quantities
to total definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
total
3rd person singular
totals
Present participle
totaling
Past simple
totaled
Past participle
totaled
Examples
To total the expenses, add up all the receipts from the business trip.
02

to add up to or reach a specific number or amount

Transitive: to total a number or amount
Examples
Her work hours totaled 40 for the week.
03

to completely destroy a vehicle, making it beyond repair

Transitive: to total a vehicle
Slang

What does "to total" mean in casual slang?

It is used to describe damaging a car beyond repair, typically in an accident, where the cost of fixing it exceeds its value. People typically say "He totaled his car on the highway" or "That crash totaled my truck." The term originated in mid 20th century American insurance and auto industry jargon, where "total loss" was shortened to "total" as a verb, and later spread into everyday speech.

Examples
The car was totaled in the high-speed crash.
Total
01

the complete amount or entirety of something

total definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Simple
Countable
Plural form
totals
Examples
The total of the shipment was 500 boxes.
02

the whole amount of numbers that are added together

total definition and meaning
Examples
She calculated the total of the prices of all the items in her shopping cart.
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