sum total

noun

1. complete numerical total:

   the sum total of my savings.

2. essence; substance:

   The sum total of research in the field.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sum total¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Idioms and Phrases

The entirety, everything, as in I spent all day in the kitchen and the sum total of my efforts is this cake . [Mid-1600s]

Related Words

• summation
• totality