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

The men argued that they purchased the candy specifically for the decorative designs and paid a premium for products they would not otherwise have bought.

From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026

This helps him identify specific techniques and important details that might have otherwise been overlooked—and avoid cultural missteps that might imperil conservation efforts by driving a wedge between locals and foreign conservators.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

But Amanda Seyfried’s Karen, a creative-writing teacher of convicts in Oklahoma, is nonetheless drawn to this man, someone who pays her the attention she is otherwise lacking.

From Los Angeles Times ● 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

True, there were traces of red powder scattered on the otherwise clean-swept dirt, and the stink was more foul than fowl.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood