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Meaning & use

totaling

verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈtəʊtəlɪŋ/
US/ˈtoʊtəlɪŋ/

“totaling” is a form of “total”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive or intransitive

    Adding up numbers or amounts to find a total.

    Grammar: Can be used with an object (total the bill) or without (the costs total to $500).

    Patterns

    • total something
    • total to something

    She is totaling the expenses for the trip.

    The donations totaled over $10,000.

    He totaled the scores at the end of the game.

  2. verblinking

    Reaching a particular total amount.

    Grammar: Used with a number or amount after it: The bill totaled $200.

    Patterns

    • total something

    The company's profits totaled $2 million last year.

    The votes totaled 5,000.

Word forms

third person singulartotals
past tensetotaled
past participletotaled
present participletotaling

Common combinations

total up
Please total up the receipts.
total cost
The total cost was higher than expected.
total amount
The total amount due is $50.
total number
The total number of students is 30.

Synonyms and how they differ

add
To combine numbers; 'total' often implies finding a final sum, while 'add' is the process.
sum
To find the sum of; more formal and often used in mathematics.
calculate
To work out a total using mathematics; broader than 'total'.

Word family

total noun
The whole amount or sum.
totally adverb
Completely; entirely.

Commonly confused: totaling or totalling?

totaling vs totalling

British spelling with double 'l'; American English uses 'totaling' with one 'l'.

Practice

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