# totem

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈtoʊtəm/ · frequency rank #25,952

## Definitions
1. 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.
2. The clan whose kinship is defined in reference to such an object or creature.
3. A symbol or personification.
4. An arbitrarily chosen object serving as a reminder to check whether one is awake or not, to aid in having lucid dreams.
5. A tall object resembling a totem pole.

## Etymology
From Ojibwe (o)doodem(an).

## Easily confused with
- **Toth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/totem-vs-toth)
- **tower** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/totem-vs-tower)
- **towel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/totem-vs-towel)
- **towed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/totem-vs-towed)
- **totes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/totem-vs-totes)
- **tom** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tom-vs-totem)
- **toe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/toe-vs-totem)
- **tot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tot-vs-totem)
- **them** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/them-vs-totem)
- **tone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tone-vs-totem)
- **toes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/toes-vs-totem)
- **tate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tate-vs-totem)
- **tore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tore-vs-totem)
- **tote** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tote-vs-totem)
- **tome** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tome-vs-totem)
- **toed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/toed-vs-totem)
- **toke** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/toke-vs-totem)
- **tobe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tobe-vs-totem)
- **total** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/total-vs-totem)
- **token** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/token-vs-totem)

## Common misspellings (7)
`ottem`, `toetm`, `totemm`, `totme`, `tottem`, `ttoem`, `ttotem`

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