What does totally mean?
Totally is an English adverb meaning completely, entirely, or without exception. It can emphasize the degree or completeness of an action, situation, or comparison: the two versions were totally different, for example. In informal conversation, totally also functions as a strong intensifier, much like very or extremely, and may convey enthusiasm, surprise, frustration, or disbelief. The word is widely used in both British and American English, although its use as an intensifier can sound especially casual in professional or academic settings. Its usefulness lies in its directness: where completely focuses on scope, totally often adds emphasis and a conversational tone. Although frequently paired with adjectives such as different, convinced, and unaware, it is flexible enough to modify verbs and whole clauses as well.
adverbTotally means completely or entirely, often emphasizing the full extent of something. In informal speech, it can also mean very or extremely.
- Completely or entirely, with no part left out.
- Used informally as an intensifier meaning very or extremely.
"The two accounts of the evening were totally different."
"The renovation transformed the house totally."
"I was totally convinced that they had made a mistake."
Totally turns an ordinary statement into an emphatic one: it means not just partly, but the whole thing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does totally come from?
Totally was formed by adding the suffix -ly to total, producing an adverb meaning in a total or complete manner. Total entered English from French total and ultimately from Latin totalis, an adjective derived from totus, meaning whole or all. The formation of totally followed the ordinary English pattern of turning an adjective into an adverb, while the related forms totality and totalism preserve the same underlying root.
How totally is actually used
Totally is common in everyday speech but can sound emphatic or informal in formal writing. As an intensifier, it may be seen as slightly overstated or dismissive, depending on context.