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

So the bottom line is, I was not aware, otherwise I would have not left the country.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026

Early European colonists in North America and the indigenous communities they encountered each tried to gain the advantage in meetings friendly and otherwise.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

"We cannot expect a handful of security personnel to monitor thousands of students. We need to work together because otherwise this will be very difficult for us to address," he told Reuters.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

But the growth rate has caught the attention of some investment professionals who worry the attractive yields are causing some to overlook, or otherwise miss, the risks.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

“Hot curry! Indian—all regions! Jamaican, Trinidadian, Guyanese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, and more…take your pick. Get it while they're crying hot, otherwise you will be.”

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton