What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
completely
Example
I completely forgot about our meeting yesterday. [completely: adverb]
Example
The project was completely finished ahead of schedule. [completely: adverb]
totally
Example
I totally agree with your assessment of the situation. [totally: adverb]
Example
The concert was totally amazing, I loved every moment of it. [totally: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Completely is more commonly used than totally in everyday language, but both words are widely understood and can be used interchangeably in many contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between completely and totally?
Completely is generally considered more formal than totally, and may be more appropriate in formal writing or speech. However, both words can be used in a variety of formality levels depending on the context.