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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

otherwise

One isn’t inclined to dispute the truth of Mr. Shadwick’s reading of this silly stuff, but one may make heavy weather of its presence in an otherwise effective account.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Where does this rank in terms of threat level, legal or otherwise?

From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026

In particular, traces of boron could absorb neutrons that would otherwise help sustain the reaction, preventing the reactor from reaching criticality.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

It’s surprising the number of otherwise politically aware folks who had no idea the debate was taking place tonight until I mentioned it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

“The Kaiser must abdicate, otherwise we shall have the revolution,” he was told.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

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