noun
Uncommon
tot
tot
Tot (noun) means a small child. Example: “The tiny tot toddled across the playground.”
noun
1
A small child.
"The tiny tot toddled across the playground."
2
A small drink of liquor.
"He poured himself a tot of whisky before bed."
verb
1
To add up figures to reach a total (often "tot up").
"She totted up the receipts at the end of the day."
How to use tot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA very young child, a small measure of spirits, or (as a verb) to add figures together.
Common pairings
tot up
a tot of rum
tiny tot
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Word forms
- Plural
- tots
- Third person singular
- tots
- Past tense
- totted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tiny _____ toddled across the playground.
Etymology
The "add up" sense is a clipping of total; the "small child" sense developed separately in English dialect use.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “tot” mean?
The word “tot” means a small child. In plain terms, a very young child, a small measure of spirits, or (as a verb) to add figures together.
How do you pronounce “tot”?
“Tot” is pronounced tot (/tɑt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tot” in a sentence?
Here is “tot” used in a sentence: “The tiny tot toddled across the playground.”
What part of speech is “tot”?
Depending on how it is used, “tot” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “tot” a common word?
“Tot” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tot” have?
“Tot” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small child.
