What Does “In Toto” Mean?

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Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

“In toto” is a phrase that you might have heard before, but you might not know exactly what it means. I’ll admit, I sure didn’t. I actually never heard the phrase used before, but that might have something to do with where I live. So, let’s explore its meaning together!

What Does In Toto Mean?

I did some reading up on the “in toto” meaning and learned it’s a Latin phrase that’s honestly been around for centuries and is still used today in a variety of ways. But don’t let the Latin part intimidate you; it’s actually a pretty simple phrase to understand.

What Language Is In Toto?

In Toto Ngram
In toto usage trend.

The origin comes from Latin, and it literally means “in total” or “in entirety.” It was originally used to indicate when something was being considered as a whole rather than in parts. The phrase can be found in legal and academic contexts. But now, it’s mostly used in more casual and conversational settings. I’ll include some sentence examples below, so keep reading.

When it comes to the definition “in toto,” I’ve quickly learned that it means something is being considered or described in its entirety. You can use it to emphasize the completeness or the entirety of something, the whole picture.

You can also use “in toto” to show that you agree with something completely or that you support something fully.

How Do You Use In Toto Properly?

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The proper usage of “in toto” is in a conversational and casual way. It doesn’t need to be limited to formal or academic settings. It’s important to remember that “in toto” is used to indicate that something is being considered or described in its entirety, emphasizing the completeness or the entirety of something, the whole picture.

How Do You Use In Toto in a Sentence

  • I read the book in toto, and I couldn’t put it down.
  • The company’s new strategy is to focus on sustainability in toto, from production to packaging.
  • I’m in toto with the idea of a company picnic.
  • I’m in toto with the plan to reduce our carbon footprint.
  • My book collection in toto is worth thousands of dollars.
  • I’m considering the college experience in toto; the classes, the lifestyle, and the social aspect. Not just the academic side of it.

How to Pronounce In Toto

This one’s an easy answer. Just say, in-tow-tow.

That’s a Wrap!

So now you know that in toto is a Latin phrase that’s been around for centuries and is still used today in a ton of different ways. Just remember, it literally means “in total” or “in entirety.” The proper usage of “in toto” is in a conversational and casual way; it doesn’t need to be limited to formal or academic settings. It’s a great phrase to express the idea that you’re on board with something 100%. Try it out!