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

Looking back now, the decision is even more inspired than it was then: a bold, personal choice that helped Coppola’s film stand out from the otherwise stuffy welcome it was bound to receive.

From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026

In New Jersey, as in other states, the growth of a business during a marriage can be subject to equitable distribution even if it was founded before the marriage, unless otherwise specified in a prenup.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

The Treasury Department recently said that it was made aware that “several eligible donors who would not otherwise make cash contributions are prepared to facilitate contributions of appreciated stock.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026

Half a million people voted the 21-year-old into the Chamber of Deputies on October 4, during elections that were otherwise a tough moment for the Brazilian left.

From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026

There’s a slight dent where it’s sitting, but otherwise I can’t tell it’s even there.

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins

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