Totality vs. Totally — What's the Difference?

Totality encompasses the entire amount, extent, or number of something, highlighting its completeness or wholeness. It is often used in contexts that discuss the entirety of a situation, concept, or physical quantity. On the other hand, totally is used to describe the extent or degree to which something is complete, absolute, or in total agreement. It modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs, indicating completeness or fullness in a qualitative sense.

Totality is a noun, serving as the subject or object in a sentence, focusing on the concept of wholeness or entirety. For example, "The totality of evidence was overwhelming." Whereas totally is an adverb, modifying actions, conditions, or other adverbs, emphasizing completeness, as in, "She was totally convinced by his argument."

In the realm of science, especially in astronomy, totality has a specific meaning, referring to the period during an eclipse when the eclipsed body is completely obscured. On the other hand, totally, being versatile in its application, does not have a specialized scientific meaning but enhances the degree of absolutes in statements about observations, results, or feelings.

Totality can also imply a sum of parts, suggesting a comprehensive or holistic view, as in considering the totality of a person's life or work. Conversely, totally often suggests an absolute state or condition without regard to individual components, such as being totally satisfied or totally dark.

In legal or formal documents, totality is used to refer to the whole of something in a comprehensive, often quantifiable, manner. Meanwhile, totally finds its use in more informal or conversational contexts, reinforcing the strength or unambiguity of a statement or opinion.