total

/ˈtoʊdl/

/ˈtʌʊtəl/

Other forms: totaling; totals; totaled; totalled; totalling

There are many meanings of total, but they all have something to do with completeness. A total is a whole or complete amount, and "to total" is to add numbers or to destroy something.

In math, you total numbers by adding them: the result is the total. If you add 8 and 8, the total is 16. If a car is totaled in an accident, it has been completely destroyed. A total defeat is a complete and utter defeat with no chance of recovering. The total resources of a company are all its resources, everything it has.

Definitions of total

1. noun

   the whole amount
   synonyms: aggregate, sum, totality

   type of:

   unit, whole

   an assemblage of parts that is regarded as a single entity
2. noun

   a quantity obtained by the addition of a group of numbers
   synonyms: amount, sum

   types:

   grand total

   the sum of the sums of several groups of numbers

   subtotal

   the sum of part of a group of numbers

   type of:

   quantity

   the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable
3. adjective

   constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
   “a total failure”

   synonyms: entire, full

   whole

   including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
4. adjective

   complete in extent or degree and in every particular
   “a total eclipse”

   “a total disaster”

   synonyms: full

   complete

   having every necessary or normal part or component or step
5. verb

   add up in number or quantity
   synonyms: add up, amount, come, number

   types:

   work out

   be calculated

   outnumber

   be larger in number

   average, average out

   amount to or come to an average, without loss or gain

   make

   add up to

   type of:

   be

   have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
6. verb

   determine the sum of
   synonyms: add, add together, add up, sum, sum up, summate, tally, tot, tot up, tote up

   add, add together

   make an addition by combining numbers

   type of:

   count, enumerate, number, numerate

   determine the number or amount of
7. verb

   damage beyond the point of repair
   “My son totaled our new car”

   “the rock star totals his guitar at every concert”

   type of:

   damage

   inflict damage upon