# tot

/ˈtɑt/ (US) · /tˈɒt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tot
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a small child

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a very young child who is just learning to walk.

For teachers: a young child, typically one who is just beginning to walk; often used affectionately.

- The playground was full of tiny tots playing in the sand.
- The charity event focused on providing early childhood education for underprivileged tots in the local community.

### 2. a small drink

noun · CEFR C1 · British English

a small amount of strong alcohol, like rum or whisky.

For teachers: a small measure of spirits, traditionally associated with the daily rum ration in the British Royal Navy.

- He enjoyed a small tot of rum before going to bed.
- Historically, sailors were granted a daily tot of rum, a tradition that was eventually abolished in 1970.

### 3. tater tot

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a small, fried piece of grated potato.

For teachers: a small, cylindrical piece of grated and deep-fried potato, typically served as a side dish.

- The kids wanted a side of tots with their burgers.
- The cafeteria served crispy golden tots alongside the main course, much to the delight of the students.

### 6. to calculate

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · British English

to add up numbers to find the total.

For teachers: to add up or accumulate a total; frequently used with the particle 'up'.

- She had to tot up the receipts to see how much she spent.
- After the market closed, the vendor sat down to tot up his earnings for the week.

Usage: Often used as the phrasal verb 'tot up'.

## Examples

- The little tot is playing with his blocks.
- The nursery school has a separate play area designed specifically for the safety of the tiny tots.
- While the older children were busy with their organized sports, a few curious tots wandered toward the edge of the field to watch the butterflies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.