The difference between Sum and Total

When used as nouns, sum means a quantity obtained by addition or aggregation, whereas total means an amount obtained by the addition of smaller amounts.

When used as verbs, sum means to add together, whereas total means to add up.

Total is also adjective with the meaning: entire.

check bellow for the other definitions of Sum and Total

  1. Sum as a noun:

    A quantity obtained by addition or aggregation.

    Examples:

    "The sum of 3 and 4 is 7."

  2. Sum as a noun (often plural):

    An arithmetic computation, especially one posed to a student as an exercise (not necessarily limited to addition).

    Examples:

    "We're learning about division, and the sums are tricky."

  3. Sum as a noun:

    A quantity of money.

    Examples:

    "a tidy sum"

    "the sum of forty pounds"

  4. Sum as a noun:

    A summary; the principal points or thoughts when viewed together; the amount; the substance; compendium.

    Examples:

    "This is the sum of all the evidence in the case."

    "This is the sum and substance of his objections."

  5. Sum as a noun:

    A central idea or point.

  6. Sum as a noun:

    The utmost degree.

  7. Sum as a noun (obsolete):

    An old English measure of corn equal to the quarter.

  1. Sum as a verb (transitive):

    To add together.

  2. Sum as a verb (transitive):

    To give a summary of.

  1. Sum as a noun:

    The basic unit of money in Kyrgyzstan.

  2. Sum as a noun:

    The basic unit of money in Uzbekistan.

  1. Sum as a pronoun (AAVE):

  1. Total as a noun:

    An amount obtained by the addition of smaller amounts.

    Examples:

    "A total of £145 was raised by the bring-and-buy stall."

  2. Total as a noun (informal, mathematics):

    Sum.

    Examples:

    "The total of 4, 5 and 6 is 15."

  1. Total as an adjective:

    Entire; relating to the whole of something.

    Examples:

    "The total book is rubbish from start to finish.  nowrap The total [[number]] of votes cast is 3,270."

  2. Total as an adjective:

    () Complete; absolute.

    Examples:

    "He is a total failure."

  1. Total as a verb (transitive):

    To add up; to calculate the sum of.

    Examples:

    "When we totalled the takings, we always got a different figure."

  2. Total as a verb:

    To equal a total of; to amount to.

    Examples:

    "That totals seven times so far."

  3. Total as a verb (transitive, US, slang):

    to demolish; to wreck completely. (from total loss)

    Examples:

    "Honey, I’m OK, but I’ve totaled the car."

  4. Total as a verb (intransitive):

    To amount to; to add up to.

    Examples:

    "It totals nearly a pound."

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