Totaly vs. Totally — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 24, 2024
"Totaly" is the incorrect spelling. The correct spelling is "Totally," an adverb meaning completely or entirely.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Totaly or Totally
How to spell Totally?
Totaly
Incorrect Spelling
Totally
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Memorize common adverbs like "finally" and "usually" to get used to the "-lly" ending.
Think of "total" + "ly" = "totally."
English adverbs often end in "-ly," which suggests the double 'l' is appropriate.
"All" in "totally" is complete, so it needs both 'l's.
Recall that "total" has two 'l's when extended to "totally."
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How Do You Spell Totally Correctly?
Incorrect: The room was totaly dark when I entered.
Correct: The room was totally dark when I entered.
Incorrect: I'm totaly in love with this book.
Correct: I'm totally in love with this book.
Incorrect: He was totaly convinced she was right.
Correct: He was totally convinced she was right.
Incorrect: She totaly forgot about the meeting.
Correct: She totally forgot about the meeting.
Incorrect: The movie was totaly awesome.
Correct: The movie was totally awesome.
Totally Definitions
Totally can emphasize the extent of something.
The party was totally awesome.
Totally can express agreement or assurance.
Will you be there? Totally!
Totally suggests without reservation or doubt.
I'm totally on board with your idea.
Totally means entirely or completely.
I'm totally sure about my decision.
Completely; absolutely
The building was totally destroyed by the fire
They came from totally different backgrounds
She's almost totally deaf
Some of the lyrics are totally brilliant
Entirely; wholly; completely.
To the fullest extent or degree.
They've totally demolished the bank on Main Street.
Very; extremely.
That was totally wicked!
Definitely; for sure.
That was totally not what happened.
In a total manner; wholly; entirely.
To a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly');
He was wholly convinced
Entirely satisfied with the meal
It was completely different from what we expected
Was completely at fault
A totally new situation
The directions were all wrong
It was not altogether her fault
An altogether new approach
A whole new idea
Totally means in every aspect or way.
Their styles are totally different.
Totally Meaning in a Sentence
The view from the top of the mountain is totally breathtaking.
I'm totally ready for the weekend.
She's totally committed to finishing the project on time.
The game was totally rigged!
The concert was totally sold out.
He's totally the best teacher in the school.
He was totally unaware of the surprise party being planned for him.
He totally aced his math test.
She's totally out of his league.
She totally misunderstood what I said.
The story was totally unbelievable.
This pizza is totally delicious.
I totally agree with your opinion.
That joke was totally funny.
She totally dominated the competition.
I'm totally in favor of taking a break now.
The movie was totally different from the book.
The ending of the story was totally unexpected.
The room was totally silent during the exam.
He was totally caught off guard by the question.
I totally forgot to call her back.
I'm totally over my cold now.
This new app is totally amazing.
Totally Idioms & Phrases
Totally in the dark
Completely unaware or uninformed about something.
Before the meeting, I was totally in the dark about the company's new policy.
Totally over the moon
Extremely happy or delighted.
She was totally over the moon with her new job.
Totally on board
Completely agreeable or enthusiastic about a plan or idea.
Once I explained the benefits, he was totally on board with the change.
Totally hit the nail on the head
To be exactly right about something.
With your analysis, you totally hit the nail on the head.
Totally off base
Completely incorrect or mistaken.
His assumptions about the project were totally off base.
Totally out of the blue
Completely unexpected or without warning.
The decision to move to another city came totally out of the blue.
Totally up my alley
Exactly what one finds interesting or prefers.
A mystery novel is totally up my alley.
Totally off the hook
No longer in a difficult situation or relieved from a responsibility.
After the new evidence was presented, he was totally off the hook.
Totally out of one's depth
Completely out of one's area of expertise or comfort zone.
When it comes to cooking, I'm totally out of my depth.
Totally on the fence
Undecided about something.
I'm totally on the fence about selling my car.
Totally by the book
Done according to rules or the law, without any deviation.
The entire operation was conducted totally by the book.
Totally blow one's mind
To amaze someone greatly.
The finale of the show totally blew my mind.
Totally on the right track
Proceeding or thinking in a correct or desirable way.
With these improvements, we're totally on the right track.
Totally out of the loop
Not informed about what is going on.
Since I missed the meeting, I'm totally out of the loop.
Totally out of character
Not typical for someone's usual behavior or personality.
It was totally out of character for him to be so rude.
Totally out of left field
Something that is very surprising or unexpected.
His resignation was totally out of left field.
Totally off the charts
Exceeding the usual limits or expectations.
The performance was totally off the charts.
Totally a game changer
Something that significantly changes an existing situation or activity.
The new policy is totally a game changer for our process.
Totally under the weather
Feeling ill or sick.
I can't come to work today; I'm totally under the weather.
Totally in one's element
Being in a situation that one knows well and enjoys.
When she's writing, she's totally in her element.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called Totally?
It's derived from "total" with the adverbial suffix "-ly," indicating completeness.
What is the pronunciation of Totally?
It's pronounced as [ˈtoʊ.tə.li].
What is the root word of Totally?
The root word is "total."
What is the verb form of Totally?
There isn't a verb form of "totally." The root, "total," can be used as a verb.
Which vowel is used before Totally?
Depending on the sentence, various vowels can precede it. E.g., "a totally new experience."
What is the singular form of Totally?
Totally does not have a singular or plural form as it's an adverb.
Which preposition is used with Totally?
Any preposition can precede it, depending on the context.
Which article is used with Totally?
Typically, "a" or "an" is used before its associated noun. E.g., "a totally different perspective."
What is the plural form of Totally?
Adverbs don't have plural forms.
Is Totally an adverb?
Yes.
Is Totally a negative or positive word?
Neutral, but can take on positive or negative connotations based on context.
Is Totally a vowel or consonant?
"Totally" is a word that contains both vowels and consonants.
Is Totally a collective noun?
No.
Is Totally a noun or adjective?
Neither, it's an adverb.
Is Totally an abstract noun?
No, it's an adverb.
Is the Totally term a metaphor?
Not inherently, but it can be used in metaphoric contexts.
Is the word Totally imperative?
No.
What part of speech is Totally?
Adverb.
Which conjunction is used with Totally?
Any conjunction can precede it, based on the sentence.
What is the opposite of Totally?
Partially.
Is Totally a countable noun?
It's not a noun, so it's not countable.
How many syllables are in Totally?
Three.
What is another term for Totally?
Completely.
Which determiner is used with Totally?
Determiners are typically not used directly with adverbs.
What is the first form of Totally?
The concept doesn't apply as it's an adverb. The root "total" is its base form.
What is the second form of Totally?
Doesn't apply to adverbs.
What is the third form of Totally?
Doesn't apply to adverbs.
How is Totally used in a sentence?
I totally understand your point of view.
How do we divide Totally into syllables?
To-tal-ly.
What is a stressed syllable in Totally?
The first syllable: "To."
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
