tot

¹ American  

[tot] / tɒt /

noun

1. a small child.

2. Chiefly British. a small portion of a beverage, especially a dram of liquor.

3. a small quantity of anything.

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tot ² American  

[tot] / tɒt /

verb (used with or without object)

totted, totting

1. to add; total (often followed byup ).

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noun

1. a total.

2. the act of adding.

3. British Informal. a column of numbers to be added.

tot. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. total.

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tot ¹ British  

/ tɒt /

noun

1. a young child; toddler

2. a small amount of anything

3. a small measure of spirits

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tot ² British  

/ tɒt /

verb

1. (usually foll by up) to total; add

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Other Word Forms

• untotted adjective

Etymology

Origin of tot¹

1680–90; perhaps short for totterer ( def. )

Origin of tot²

1745–55; < Latin: so much, so many

Explanation

A tot is a small child, like the tots at your little sister's nursery school. Tater tots, or little bitty potato puffs, are another kind of tot. The origin of the noun tot is a little unclear, although we know it first appeared in the 18th century. It was also common in the early 20th century to refer to children's playgrounds as tot lots. As a verb, tot is an old-fashioned way to say "add," a shortened form of total. So your waiter might say, "I'll be right back with your check as soon as I tot everything up!"

Example Sentences

The spending that was originally anticipated for the fourth quarter is pushed forward tot the first quarter of 2026.

From Barron's • Nov. 11, 2025

When you tot up the balance of alleged irreparable harms here, it isn’t even a close call.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2024

Writer tapped to read at inauguration was taken as a tot to hear King’s ‘Dream’ speech.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2024

The tot had become one of several hundred seemingly healthy U.S. toddlers and preschoolers each year who suddenly die in their sleep and autopsies can’t tell why.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 4, 2024

So there will be a whole tot of us going to the dance together, misfits and fits, couples and not.

From "The Misfits" by James Howe