Complete vs. Total: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Complete refers to something fully finished or whole, while total indicates the sum or entirety of parts.
Key Differences
Complete emphasizes the state of something being fully finished or entirely done, implying no part is left out. It often relates to tasks, processes, or objects. Conversely, Total suggests an aggregation or summation, often used in contexts of numbers, where all parts are added up to a final sum. While complete indicates the finality of a single entity, total refers to the sum of multiple entities.
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Dec 04, 2023
In usage, complete often describes the quality of something being whole or exhaustive. It can refer to a comprehensive or full state. On the other hand, total is used more quantitatively, representing an overall amount or sum, especially in mathematical or financial contexts. Complete conveys a qualitative sense of wholeness, whereas total delivers a quantitative assessment.
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Dec 04, 2023
When discussing achievements or milestones, complete is used to signify the accomplishment of all required or expected parts. In contrast, total is employed to quantify the aggregate of all components or elements, such as a total score or total cost. Complete underscores the finish of a component, whereas total accumulates all components.
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Dec 04, 2023
Complete can also imply perfection or thoroughness in execution, suggesting no further additions or improvements are needed. In contrast, total doesn't necessarily imply perfection but rather a totality of elements, irrespective of their individual states. Complete suggests thoroughness, while total indicates the summation of parts.
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Dec 04, 2023
In terms of linguistic application, complete is often used as an adjective to describe nouns, while total can function as both an adjective and a noun. This dual usage of total allows for broader applications, like in the phrase 'the total is...'. Complete typically modifies subjects, indicating their comprehensive state, whereas total can stand alone as a subject or modify another subject.
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Dec 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Context
Often used in tasks or processes
Used in numerical or financial contexts
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Implication
Suggests thoroughness or perfection
Indicates aggregate amount, not perfection
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Dec 04, 2023
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Complete and Total Definitions
Complete
Fully finished or entire in all respects.
He completed the puzzle, placing the last piece.
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Dec 04, 2023
Total
The sum or whole amount of something.
The total of the invoice was $200.
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Complete
Having all necessary or normal parts, components, or steps.
The report is complete with all required sections.
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Total
Encompassing everything within scope; entire.
The total number of attendees was over fifty.
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Complete
Thorough, leaving no detail unattended.
She gave a complete overview of the project.
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Total
To calculate the sum of various elements.
He totaled the expenses for the month.
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Complete
To bring something to a finish or an end.
He completed his degree in four years.
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Dec 04, 2023
Complete
Having all necessary or normal parts, components, or steps; entire
A complete medical history.
A complete set of dishes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
The whole amount of something; the entirety
The storm damaged the total of the housing units.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complete
(Botany) Having all principal parts, namely, the sepals, petals, stamens, and pistil or pistils. Used of a flower.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Of, relating to, or constituting the whole amount; entire
The total population of the city.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complete
Having come to an end; concluded
The renovation of the kitchen is complete.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Complete; utter; absolute
Total concentration.
A total effort.
A total fool.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
To determine the total of; add up
They totaled the applications at 600.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
To equal a total of; amount to
The week's receipts totaled more than $90,000.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
To wreck completely; demolish
The driver survived the crash but totaled the car.
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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.
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Total
An amount obtained by the addition of smaller amounts.
A total of £145 was raised by the bring-and-buy stall.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complete
(Football) To throw (a forward pass) that is caught in bounds by a receiver.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complete
(ambitransitive) To finish; to make done; to reach the end.
He completed the assignment on time.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complete
(transitive) To make whole or entire.
The last chapter completes the book nicely.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
(transitive) To add up; to calculate the sum of.
When we totalled the takings, we always got a different figure.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complete
Finished; ended; concluded; completed.
When your homework is complete, you can go and play with Martin.
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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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
To demolish; to wreck completely. (from total loss)
Honey, I’m OK, but I’ve totaled the car.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complete
In which every Cauchy sequence converges to a point within the space.
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Total
Whole; not divided; entire; full; complete; absolute; as, a total departure from the evidence; a total loss.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
The whole; the whole sum or amount; as, these sums added make the grand total of five millions.
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Complete
In which every semantically valid well-formed formula is provable.
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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).
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
To determine the total of (a set of numbers); to add; - often used with up; as, to total up the bill.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complete
Finished; ended; concluded; completed; as, the edifice is complete.
This course of vanity almost complete.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complete
Having all the parts or organs which belong to it or to the typical form; having calyx, corolla, stamens, and pistil.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Total
Add up in number or quantity;
The bills amounted to $2,000
The bill came to $2,000
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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
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Determine the sum of;
Add all the people in this town to those of the neighboring town
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Oct 19, 2023
Complete
Bring to a whole, with all the necessary parts or elements;
A child would complete the family
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Constituting the full quantity or extent; complete;
An entire town devastated by an earthquake
Gave full attention
A total failure
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Complete
Write all the required information onto a form;
Fill out this questionnaire, please!
Make out a form
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Complete in extent or degree and in every particular;
A full game
A total eclipse
A total disaster
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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
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Complete in extent or degree; absolute.
The car was a total loss after the accident.
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Dec 04, 2023
Complete
Perfect and complete in every respect; having all necessary qualities;
A complete gentleman
Consummate happiness
A consummate performance
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Used to describe something that is very great in extent.
The project was a total success.
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Dec 04, 2023
Complete
Having all four whorls or principal parts--sepals and petals and stamens and carpels (or pistils);
Complete flowers
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Complete
Having come or been brought to a conclusion;
The harvesting was complete
The affair is over, ended, finished
The abruptly terminated interview
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Complete
Total and absolute in nature.
The team achieved complete success in the tournament.
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Dec 04, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How is total used in finance?
Total in finance refers to the sum of all financial elements, like expenses or revenues.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can complete and total be used interchangeably?
They are not always interchangeable as complete refers to the state of being finished, while total refers to a sum.
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Dec 04, 2023
What does it mean when something is totally complete?
It means that something is both entirely finished and includes all parts or aspects.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is complete used only as an adjective?
Complete is primarily used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a verb meaning to finish something.
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Dec 04, 2023
What does complete mean in a sentence?
Complete in a sentence typically means fully finished or thorough.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can total be a noun?
Yes, total can function as a noun, referring to a cumulative amount.
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Can total be used in sports?
Yes, it's often used to refer to the sum of scores or points in sports.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is total always related to numbers?
While often related to numbers, total can also describe the extent or degree of something.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does complete imply perfection?
Complete can imply thoroughness or perfection in some contexts, but not always.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can complete refer to a process?
Yes, it can refer to the fullness or completeness of a process.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can a person be described as complete?
Yes, in a metaphorical sense, indicating they are well-rounded or lacking nothing.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can total indicate the overall impact?
Yes, total can describe the overall impact or extent of something.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is complete a stronger word than finished?
Complete can be stronger as it implies thoroughness in addition to being finished.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can total be used in describing feelings?
Yes, total can describe the extent of feelings, like total joy.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can a project be totally complete?
Yes, indicating that the project is fully finished in every aspect.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can total refer to an entire group?
Yes, total can refer to the entirety of a group or collection.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is total more quantitative than complete?
Yes, total is more about quantities and sums, while complete is about the state of being whole.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does complete always mean 100%?
In most contexts, complete implies 100% or totality in terms of completion.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is complete more about quality?
Complete often implies quality by indicating thoroughness and fullness.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does complete suggest an end point?
Yes, complete often indicates an end point or conclusion.
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Dec 04, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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