Skip to main content

total — complete; absolute; whole

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: complete; absolute; whole

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈtoʊtəl/

Example Sentences

  • My mom's cooking skills are a total mystery to me.
  • The total number of students in our school is 800.
  • He's a total genius at video games but can't cook ramen.

total

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈtoʊtəl/]

complete; absolute; whole

a construction worker operates a wrecking ball that crashes into the final remaining wall of an old structure. The entire building collapses completely as debris falls everywhere around the site. Where once stood a complete building, now only rubble remains scattered across the ground. Other workers begin clearing away every single piece of the demolished structure.  the complete and absolute destruction of the whole building
💡 Concept

a construction worker operates a wrecking ball that crashes into the final remaining wall of an old structure. The entire building collapses completely as debris falls everywhere around the site. Where once stood a complete building, now only rubble remains scattered across the ground. Other workers begin clearing away every single piece of the demolished structure. the complete and absolute destruction of the whole building

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈtoʊtəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈtəʊtəl/

🌳Etymology

Roottot-
Suffix--al

Origin

The word derives from Medieval Latin totalis, which evolved from the Latin root totus meaning 'whole' or 'entire'. The suffix -alis was added to form an adjective denoting 'complete' or 'encompassing the whole'.

Breakdown

totus (whole, entire) + -al (adjective suffix forming descriptive terms). The combination creates an adjective expressing completeness or comprehensiveness.

🎵Rhyme

hotel
motel
cartel

🔗Collocations

total amount
total disaster
total eclipse
grand total
total stranger
total up

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My mom's cooking skills are a total mystery to me.”

“The total number of students in our school is 800.”

😄 Fun example

“He's a total genius at video games but can't cook ramen.”

“Please total these numbers and give me the result.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.