# total vs totem

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### total
*noun · IPA /ˈtəʊ.tl̩/ · frequency rank #627*
An amount obtained by the addition of smaller amounts.

### totem
*noun · IPA /ˈtoʊtəm/ · frequency rank #25,952*
Any natural object or living creature that serves as an emblem of a tribe, clan or family; the representation of such an object or creature.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/total-vs-totem