otherwise

[ uhth-er-wahyz ]

/ ˈʌð ərˌwaɪz /

Save This Word!

See 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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of otherwise

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

Words nearby otherwise

other side of the tracks, other than, other things being equal, otherwhere, otherwhile, otherwise, other woman, other world, otherworldly, Othin, Othman

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use otherwise in a sentence

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Larson, as usual, instills gravitas and agency in an otherwise underwritten character.
Brie Larson’s Hollywood Transformation|Marlow Stern|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Millennials—rich or otherwise—have been notoriously uninterested in politics.
When Will We See a #Millennial Congress?|Linda Killian|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
The Majesty on high has a colony and a people on earth, which otherwise is under the supremacy of the Evil One.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
That is the only point in which one sees Liszt's sense of his own greatness; otherwise his manner is remarkably unassuming.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Rather late that evening we administered extreme unction to him, for otherwise he was sufficiently prepared for it.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
It rather annoyed her than otherwise, but her husband was pleased, and that was enough for Georgie.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Otherwise, a child's box of tin soldiers sent by post would have been just the thing for the Dardanelles landing!
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton

British Dictionary definitions for otherwise

otherwise

/ (ˈʌðəˌwaɪz) /

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 for otherwise

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

otherwise

Origin of otherwise

Words nearby otherwise

Words related to otherwise

How to use otherwise in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for otherwise

Word Origin for otherwise

usage for otherwise