otherwise

American  

[uhth-er-wahyz] / ˈʌð ərˌwaɪz /

adverb

1. under other circumstances.

   Otherwise they may get broken.

2. in another manner; differently.

   Under the circumstances, I can't believe otherwise.

3. in other respects.

   an otherwise happy life.

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conjunction

1. or else; if not.

   Button up your overcoat, otherwise you'll catch cold.

adjective

1. other or different; of another nature or kind.

   We hoped his behavior would be otherwise.

2. in other or different circumstances.

   An otherwise pleasure had become a grinding chore.

otherwise British  

/ ˈʌðəˌwaɪz /

1. or else; if not, then

   go home — otherwise your mother will worry

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adverb

1. differently

   I wouldn't have thought otherwise

2. in other respects

   an otherwise hopeless situation

adjective

1. (predicative) of an unexpected nature; different

   the facts are otherwise

pronoun

1. something different in outcome

   success or otherwise

Usage

The expression otherwise than means in any other way than and should not be followed by an adjective: no-one taught by this method can be other than (not otherwise than ) successful; you are not allowed to use the building otherwise than as a private dwelling

Etymology

Origin of otherwise

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English (on) ōthre wīsan “(in) another manner”; equivalent to other + -wise

Example Sentences

Our studies of rare processes let us explore parts of nature that may otherwise only become accessible using particle colliders planned for the 2070s.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

That leaves the market now guessing “when China’s aggressive SPR support will be exhausted or otherwise withdrawn, which would prompt a renewed surge in upward pricing pressure,” he said.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

“And he doesn’t bluff, either. What he does is groom us. He prepares us for things that would otherwise be unthinkable.”

From Salon • May 26, 2026

Because I couldn’t sing, otherwise, you end up being a pop star, Prince, Michael Jackson and Stevie and all that.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

She clasps my hand tightly, as if she might float away otherwise.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar