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

According to Longo, these differences remained even though people with the highest animal protein intake generally consumed fewer calories and otherwise had healthier diets.

From Science Daily • Jul. 10, 2026

The technology, he said, "should allow us essentially to reach people that otherwise never would have been reachable".

From Barron's • Jul. 10, 2026

It’s odd and discordant with a strange magic all its own — a blessing in what’s otherwise a lame remix.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2026

"It's not simply a switch you turn on or off. A port needs activity as a logistics node – otherwise it's no longer a port. It's a real dilemma."

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026

Some cases simply are hopeless, and it is no use pretending otherwise.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood