otherwise

[uhth -er-wahyz]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR otherwise ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

under other circumstances: Otherwise they may get broken.

in another manner; differently: Under the circumstances, I can't believe otherwise.

in other respects: an otherwise happy life.

conjunction

or else; if not: Button up your overcoat, otherwise you'll catch cold.

adjective

other or different; of another nature or kind: We hoped his behavior would be otherwise.

in other or different circumstances: An otherwise pleasure had become a grinding chore.

Origin of otherwise

before 900; Middle English; Old English (on) ōthre wīsan (in) another manner. See other, -wise

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for otherwise

differently, variously, contrarily, diversely

Examples from the Web for otherwise

Contemporary Examples of otherwise

Placed in drinking water, fluoride can serve people who otherwise have poor access to dental care.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers
Michael Schulson
July 27, 2016
If someone wants to ensure a direct and secure connection, no entity, whether a hotel or otherwise, should be able to block it.
How ‘Ethical’ Hotel Chain Marriott Gouges Guests in the Name of Wi-Fi Security
Kyle Chayka
December 31, 2014
Larson, as usual, instills gravitas and agency in an otherwise underwritten character.
Brie Larson’s Hollywood Transformation
Marlow Stern
December 29, 2014
Millennials—rich or otherwise—have been notoriously uninterested in politics.
When Will We See a #Millennial Congress?
Linda Killian
December 26, 2014
Otherwise, we will be but celebrating an empty holiday, missing its true meaning altogether.
Jesus Wasn’t Born Rich. Think About It.
Gene Robinson
December 25, 2014

Historical Examples of otherwise

Otherwise I may behave in a manner to be regretted in my calmer moments.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Ladies should have with them as much jewelry as possible, borrowed or otherwise.
Punchinello, Vol. 1. No. 20, August 13, 1870
Various
Otherwise, he would not have cared to go on destroying life for no useful end.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
"Of course I am, otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned it," declared Emma.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
Jessie Graham Flower
The three gave Andy a look and a grunt, but otherwise they paid no attention to him.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand

British Dictionary definitions for otherwise

otherwise

sentence connector

or else; if not, thengo home — otherwise your mother will worry

adverb

differentlyI wouldn't have thought otherwise

in other respectsan otherwise hopeless situation

adjective

(predicative) of an unexpected nature; differentthe facts are otherwise

pronoun

something different in outcomesuccess or otherwise

Word Origin for otherwise

C14: from Old English on ōthre wīsan in other manner

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for otherwise

adv.

contracted from Old English phrase on oðre wisan "in the other manner" (see other + wise (n.)), which in Middle English became oþre wise, and mid-14c. oþerwise. As an adjective from c.1400.