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

More directly involving pharmacists in prescribing decisions alongside physicians could help uncover medication patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026

An aerial view of an otherwise incredibly layered city, which would reveal itself to him in due time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Rising Treasury yields not only help lift borrowing costs for consumers and companies, but they also draw in investors who might otherwise shop for riskier assets, like stocks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Then run the numbers with someone who has done this before, because the decision is not reversible and the comparison depends on your basis, your bracket, your state and how long you’d otherwise wait.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

His audience laughed when Burr demonstrated the many ways mediums could move objects, answer questions, or otherwise trick unsuspecting séance goers.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock