Total vs. Complete — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 7, 2024
Total often refers to the sum or aggregate amount of something, while complete emphasizes the state of being whole, finished, or fully accomplished.
Difference Between Total and Complete
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Total is commonly used in contexts involving numbers, quantities, or amounts, suggesting an aggregation or summation. For example, the total cost of a project includes all individual expenses combined. Complete, on the other hand, is used to denote the status of something that has been fully realized, finished, or brought to its end, often without reference to numerical value. A complete set of documents means that nothing is missing and the set is whole.
While both words imply a sense of entirety, total is more quantitative, often associated with numerical calculations or assessments. Complete suggests a qualitative assessment, indicating that all components or aspects necessary for wholeness are present and accounted for. For instance, a total eclipse refers to the sum of an astronomical event's phases, while a complete application package implies that all required parts are included.
The distinction also extends to their use as verbs. To total something, like a car in an accident, implies reducing it to a state where it's considered a complete loss, focusing on the extent of damage or loss. To complete something, like a task or a form, means to finish it entirely, ensuring all requirements are met.
In summary, total and complete can sometimes be used interchangeably in casual speech, but they carry different connotations, with total emphasizing an aggregate amount and complete focusing on the thoroughness or entirety of a state or condition.
Comparison Chart
Definition
The sum or aggregate amount of something.
The state of being whole, finished, or fully accomplished.
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Context
Often used with numbers, quantities, or amounts.
Used to denote wholeness or the presence of all parts or stages.
Connotation
Quantitative; emphasizes summation.
Qualitative; emphasizes thoroughness or entirety.
Examples
Total score, total expenses.
Complete collection, complete agreement.
Compare with Definitions
Total
Referring to the sum or aggregate of parts.
The total number of participants exceeded expectations.
Complete
Signifying that nothing is missing or unfinished.
The report is now complete and ready for review.
Total
In some contexts, implies completeness due to a comprehensive count.
The total damage from the storm was extensive.
Complete
Can imply perfection or fulfillment.
Their happiness was made complete with the arrival of the newborn.
Total
Can denote a final amount after addition.
The total sum of the invoice includes taxes and fees.
Complete
Indicates the end of a process or task.
She completed her degree with excellent grades.
Total
As a verb, can mean to destroy or render unusable.
The accident totaled the family car, making it beyond repair.
Complete
Often used to describe the comprehensive nature of something.
The collection is complete with the acquisition of the final piece.
Total
Used in contexts involving calculation or quantification.
The total cost of the renovation was carefully calculated.
Complete
As an adjective, can describe a total or utter state.
It was a complete surprise when he arrived unannounced.
Total
Comprising the whole number or amount
A total cost of £4,000
Complete
Having all necessary or normal parts, components, or steps; entire
A complete medical history.
A complete set of dishes.
Total
Complete; absolute
A total stranger
It is a matter of total indifference to me
Complete
(Botany) Having all principal parts, namely, the sepals, petals, stamens, and pistil or pistils. Used of a flower.
Total
The whole number or amount of something
In total, 200 people were interviewed
He scored a total of thirty-three points
Complete
Having come to an end; concluded
The renovation of the kitchen is complete.
Total
Amount in number to
They were left with debts totalling £6,260
Complete
Absolute; thorough
Complete control.
A complete mystery.
Total
Damage (something, typically a vehicle) beyond repair; wreck
He almost totalled the car
Complete
Accomplished; consummate
A complete musician.
Total
An amount obtained by addition; a sum.
Complete
(Football) Caught in bounds by a receiver
A complete pass.
Total
The whole amount of something; the entirety
The storm damaged the total of the housing units.
Complete
To bring to a finish or an end
She has completed her studies.
Total
Of, relating to, or constituting the whole amount; entire
The total population of the city.
Complete
To make whole, with all necessary elements or parts
A second child would complete their family. Fill in the blanks to complete the form.
Total
Complete; utter; absolute
Total concentration.
A total effort.
A total fool.
Complete
(Football) To throw (a forward pass) that is caught in bounds by a receiver.
Total
To determine the total of; add up
They totaled the applications at 600.
Complete
(ambitransitive) To finish; to make done; to reach the end.
He completed the assignment on time.
Total
To equal a total of; amount to
The week's receipts totaled more than $90,000.
Complete
(transitive) To make whole or entire.
The last chapter completes the book nicely.
Total
To wreck completely; demolish
The driver survived the crash but totaled the car.
Complete
(poker) To call from the small blind in an unraised pot.
Total
To add up; amount
It totals to $25.
Complete
With all parts included; with nothing missing; full.
My life will be complete once I buy this new television.
She offered me complete control of the project.
After she found the rook, the chess set was complete.
Total
An amount obtained by the addition of smaller amounts.
A total of £145 was raised by the bring-and-buy stall.
Complete
Finished; ended; concluded; completed.
When your homework is complete, you can go and play with Martin.
Total
Sum.
The total of 4, 5 and 6 is 15.
Complete
Generic intensifier.
He is a complete bastard!
It was a complete shock when he turned up on my doorstep.
Our vacation was a complete disaster.
Total
Entire; relating to the whole of something.
The total book is rubbish from start to finish.
The total number of votes cast is 3,270.
Complete
In which every Cauchy sequence converges to a point within the space.
Total
(used as an intensifier) Complete; absolute.
He is a total failure.
Complete
In which every set with a lower bound has a greatest lower bound.
Total
(mathematics) (of a function) Defined on all possible inputs.
The Ackermann function is one of the simplest and earliest examples of a total computable function that is not primitive recursive.
Complete
In which all small limits exist.
Total
(transitive) To add up; to calculate the sum of.
When we totalled the takings, we always got a different figure.
Complete
In which every semantically valid well-formed formula is provable.
Total
To equal a total of; to amount to.
That totals seven times so far.
Complete
That is in a given complexity class and is such that every other problem in the class can be reduced to it (usually in polynomial time or logarithmic space).
Total
To demolish; to wreck completely. (from total loss)
Honey, I’m OK, but I’ve totaled the car.
Complete
Filled up; with no part or element lacking; free from deficiency; entire; perfect; consummate.
Ye are complete in him.
That thou, dead corse, again in complete steelRevisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon.
Total
(intransitive) To amount to; to add up to.
It totals nearly a pound.
Complete
Finished; ended; concluded; completed; as, the edifice is complete.
This course of vanity almost complete.
Total
Whole; not divided; entire; full; complete; absolute; as, a total departure from the evidence; a total loss.
Complete
Having all the parts or organs which belong to it or to the typical form; having calyx, corolla, stamens, and pistil.
Total
The whole; the whole sum or amount; as, these sums added make the grand total of five millions.
Complete
To bring to a state in which there is no deficiency; to perfect; to consummate; to accomplish; to fulfill; to finish; as, to complete a task, or a poem; to complete a course of education.
Bred only and completed to the tasteOf lustful appetence.
And, to complete her bliss, a fool for mate.
Total
To bring to a total; also, to reach as a total; to amount to.
Complete
Come or bring to a finish or an end;
He finished the dishes
She completed the requirements for her Master's Degree
The fastest runner finished the race in just over 2 hours; others finished in over 4 hours
Total
To determine the total of (a set of numbers); to add; - often used with up; as, to total up the bill.
Complete
Bring to a whole, with all the necessary parts or elements;
A child would complete the family
Total
To damage beyond repair; - used especially of vehicles damaged in an accident; as, he skid on an ice patch and totaled his Mercedes against a tree. From total loss.
Complete
Complete or carry out;
Discharge one's duties
Total
The whole amount
Complete
Complete a pass
Total
A quantity obtained by addition
Complete
Write all the required information onto a form;
Fill out this questionnaire, please!
Make out a form
Total
Add up in number or quantity;
The bills amounted to $2,000
The bill came to $2,000
Complete
Having every necessary or normal part or component or step;
A complete meal
A complete wardrobe
A complete set pf the Britannica
A complete set of china
A complete defeat
A complete accounting
An incomplete flower
Total
Determine the sum of;
Add all the people in this town to those of the neighboring town
Complete
Perfect and complete in every respect; having all necessary qualities;
A complete gentleman
Consummate happiness
A consummate performance
Total
Constituting the full quantity or extent; complete;
An entire town devastated by an earthquake
Gave full attention
A total failure
Complete
Having all four whorls or principal parts--sepals and petals and stamens and carpels (or pistils);
Complete flowers
Total
Including everything;
The overall cost
The total amount owed
Complete
Highly skilled;
An accomplished pianist
A complete musician
Total
Without conditions or limitations;
A total ban
Complete
Without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers;
An arrant fool
A complete coward
A consummate fool
A double-dyed villain
Gross negligence
A perfect idiot
Pure folly
What a sodding mess
Stark staring mad
A thoroughgoing villain
Utter nonsense
Total
Complete in extent or degree and in every particular;
A full game
A total eclipse
A total disaster
Complete
Having come or been brought to a conclusion;
The harvesting was complete
The affair is over, ended, finished
The abruptly terminated interview
Common Curiosities
Can a project be "total" instead of "complete"?
A project would more accurately be described as "complete" when all of its components or stages are finished. "Total" would not be appropriate unless referring to a sum, such as the total cost or total hours worked.
How does "total" differ from "entire"?
"Total" often implies a sum and is used in quantitative contexts, while "entire" emphasizes the whole extent of something without necessarily implying a sum of parts.
In sports, is it more common to use "total" or "complete"?
"Total" is commonly used in sports to refer to sums, such as total points, while "complete" might describe an athlete's all-around skill set or the conclusion of a game or season.
Is it correct to say "complete total"?
While not grammatically incorrect, "complete total" is redundant in most contexts. It's clearer to use one word or the other based on what you're emphasizing.
Can "complete" imply quality?
Yes, "complete" can imply not just the presence of all parts but also a sense of thoroughness or quality in the completeness, indicating nothing is lacking in terms of standards or expectations.
Is "completely totaled" a valid expression?
"Completely totaled" is often used informally to emphasize the extent of destruction or damage, especially in reference to vehicles, though it's somewhat redundant.
Does "complete" always imply the end of something?
While "complete" often implies that something has ended or been finished, it can also describe something that is whole or lacks nothing, not necessarily related to time.
Can "total" ever be used in a qualitative sense?
While less common, "total" can be used qualitatively to emphasize the full extent or impact of something, especially in non-numeric contexts (e.g., total devastation).
Can something be "total" without being "complete"?
Yes, something can be a "total" amount or sum without being "complete" if it lacks a necessary component or stage for wholeness or finality.
How do "total" and "complete" function differently as verbs?
As verbs, "to total" often means to sum up or to destroy, whereas "to complete" means to finish or make whole, reflecting their differences in meaning as adjectives.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
