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

See Examples For:

otherwise

I like this recipe in particular because if the farmers market has otherwise failed you, there is a decent chance the pickle table has not.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

This, in turn, keeps government-debt yields lower than they otherwise would be.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

But she also noted that Gen Z was pairing them with running shorts, or otherwise finding new ways to wear them.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026

There is a 10-second time limit to tell the fourth official who is coming off, otherwise the captain must do so.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Our clientele were the well-heeled women of Krakow: Jewish, Catholic, and otherwise.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman