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

"Further support is being provided for current students whose studies could otherwise have been disrupted by financial hardship," a spokesperson added.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Cheaper U.S. natural gas is a bright spot for consumers in otherwise dim energy markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Since longer wavelengths of light can penetrate deeper into the body, a protein that responds to near-infrared light could allow researchers to reach cells that are otherwise difficult to access.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

“Most people ensure they have no other pretax IRA money before they start the conversion, otherwise it gets messy.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

But to say otherwise in his lifetime would have been daring if not foolish.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis