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Completely vs. Totally: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Completely" often conveys a sense of thoroughness or entirety in a specific aspect, while "totally" implies absolute or full extent in a more general sense.
Completely vs. Totally

Key Differences

"Completely" is typically used to emphasize the thorough completion or fullness in one specific aspect or dimension. It often suggests that nothing is left out in that particular regard. On the other hand, "totally" conveys an idea of wholeheartedness or entirety, often encompassing all aspects or dimensions without restriction.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
In terms of usage, "completely" is frequently applied to situations where the focus is on the completeness of an action or process. It implies that every part or detail has been attended to. "Totally," however, is broader, often used to express an absolute state or condition, extending beyond the confines of a single aspect.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
"Completely" can also imply a change from one state to another, indicating a thorough transition. For example, renovating a house "completely" suggests a comprehensive overhaul. In contrast, "totally" often points to the overall nature or extent of something, such as being "totally convinced," which implies conviction in every way.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
The nuances in emotional or subjective contexts differ as well. Saying someone is "completely happy" might emphasize happiness in a specific context or moment, whereas "totally happy" could imply an all-encompassing, unreserved happiness.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
In summary, while both "completely" and "totally" often function interchangeably in colloquial usage, "completely" tends to focus on thoroughness or entirety in a specific area, whereas "totally" implies a more general, all-encompassing extent or degree.
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Comparison Chart

Focus

Specific aspect or dimension
General, overall extent
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Usage Context

Emphasizes thoroughness in an action
Expresses an absolute state or condition
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Nov 20, 2023

Implication of Change

Suggests a complete transition
Implies an overall nature or extent
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Emotional Context

Specific context or moment
All-encompassing, unreserved
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Degree of Intensity

High in a particular aspect
Generally high or absolute
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Completely and Totally Definitions

Completely

In a thorough or comprehensive manner.
The room was completely renovated to look modern.
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Totally

Emphasizing an overall or all-encompassing state.
The team was totally prepared for the competition.
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Completely

Indicating a full or wholehearted state in a particular regard.
The audience was completely captivated by the performance.
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Totally

Absolutely or wholly, without exception.
The statement was totally false.
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Completely

To the utmost degree or extent in one aspect.
She was completely exhausted after the marathon.
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Totally

Entirely, in every aspect or regard.
She was totally unaware of the surprise party.
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Completely

Emphasizing totality within a specific context.
He completely understood the math problem.
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Nov 20, 2023

Totally

Used to express an unequivocal or absolute nature.
He was totally committed to the project.
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Nov 20, 2023

Completely

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

Totally

Entirely; wholly; completely.
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Oct 19, 2023

Completely

(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

Totally

To the fullest extent or degree.
They've totally demolished the bank on Main Street.
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Completely

Having come to an end; concluded
The renovation of the kitchen is complete.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totally

Very; extremely.
That was totally wicked!
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Completely

Absolute; thorough
Complete control.
A complete mystery.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totally

Definitely; for sure.
That was totally not what happened.
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Oct 19, 2023

Completely

Accomplished; consummate
A complete musician.
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Totally

In a total manner; wholly; entirely.
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Oct 19, 2023

Completely

(Football) Caught in bounds by a receiver
A complete pass.
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Totally

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
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Oct 19, 2023

Completely

To bring to a finish or an end
She has completed her studies.
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Totally

Reflecting an unreserved or complete extent.
The movie was totally different from the book.
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Completely

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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Oct 19, 2023

Completely

(Football) To throw (a forward pass) that is caught in bounds by a receiver.
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Completely

(manner) In a complete manner
Please completely fill in the box for your answer, using a number 2 pencil.
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Completely

(degree) To the fullest extent or degree; totally.
He is completely mad.
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Oct 19, 2023

Completely

In a complete manner; fully.
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Oct 19, 2023

Completely

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
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Completely

So as to be complete; with everything necessary;
He had filled out the form completely
The apartment was completely furnished
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Oct 19, 2023

Completely

Fully, with nothing left out.
The book was completely rewritten for the new edition.
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Nov 20, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Can "totally" express surprise?

Yes, it's often used to emphasize unexpectedness.
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Are "completely" and "totally" interchangeable?

Often, but not always; their nuances can differ based on context.
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Nov 20, 2023

Can "completely" imply gradual change?

Yes, it can imply a process reaching completion.
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Nov 20, 2023

Is "totally" appropriate in academic writing?

It can be, though "completely" might be preferred for precision.
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Nov 20, 2023

Is "totally" more emphatic than "completely"?

"Totally" can be more emphatic in conveying an absolute state.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023

Is "completely" used in formal writing?

Yes, it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023

Can "completely" refer to physical completeness?

Yes, it can refer to physical or metaphorical completeness.
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Nov 20, 2023

Does "completely" imply a final state?

Often, it implies a final or conclusive state in a process.
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Nov 20, 2023

Does "completely" focus on details?

Yes, it often emphasizes thoroughness in specific aspects.
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Nov 20, 2023

Can "completely" be used in emotional contexts?

Yes, it's often used to describe emotions or states of mind.
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Nov 20, 2023

Is "completely" stronger than "partially"?

Yes, it implies a higher degree of completeness than "partially."
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Does "totally" always mean 100%?

In most contexts, it implies a full, 100% extent.
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Nov 20, 2023

Is "completely" used in expressions of certainty?

Yes, it often expresses certainty or decisiveness.
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Nov 20, 2023

Does "totally" have a colloquial usage?

Yes, it's commonly used colloquially for emphasis.
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Nov 20, 2023

Does "totally" convey a sense of entirety?

Yes, it conveys an overall, comprehensive sense.
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Nov 20, 2023

Is "totally" effective for exaggeration?

Yes, it can be used for rhetorical or exaggerated effect.
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Nov 20, 2023

Can "totally" be used in negative contexts?

Yes, it can be used to emphasize negative states or conditions.
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Nov 20, 2023

Is "totally" used to agree strongly?

Yes, it's often used for strong agreement or confirmation.
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Nov 20, 2023

Can "completely" denote a thorough understanding?

Yes, it often implies a deep or thorough understanding.
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Nov 20, 2023

Can "completely" signify a clean break?

Yes, it can imply a complete separation or end.
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Nov 20, 2023

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Shumaila Saeed
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Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila 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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