totally

"Totally" does not always mean complete now. It still has its original sense of "entirely," as in saying a project is "totally finished." But in everyday English, it is also a common, informal way to add emphasis. You might say you are "totally excited" about a concert or that a movie was "totally awesome." It works with many kinds of adjectives, whether positive or negative. Be careful, though: if you use "totally" too much, you can sound very casual or a bit dated.

The word "totally" started with a clear meaning: "completely" or "entirely." In that sense, it describes something with no part left out. You can hear this in sentences like "The building was totally destroyed" or "I totally forgot about the meeting."

Over time, especially in informal spoken English, "totally" also became a strong intensifier. In this use, it adds force to what comes next. People say things like "I'm totally ready," "That was totally unfair," or "The new version feels totally different." In these examples, the word is doing more than showing completeness. It is adding emotion, certainty, or extra emphasis.

"Totally" can also stand on its own as a quick reply. If a friend says, "That test was hard," someone might answer, "Totally," to mean "I agree completely." This use is common in casual conversation and gives speech a relaxed, natural tone.

Even so, the word is still informal in many situations. It fits well in conversation, stories, and friendly writing, but it can sound too casual in formal or professional contexts. It can also sound dated if it is repeated too often. Used well, though, "totally" is a simple, flexible word that can show completeness, strong feeling, or full agreement.