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.

---

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

---

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

BookTok has the potential to highlight titles that might otherwise go unnoticed.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

The stay preserved the status quo while litigation played out, averting the hefty costs and damage that would otherwise have come to pass.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Any candidate who wins a majority in the election will win the seat outright, otherwise the top two vote-getters will compete in the Nov. 3 general election.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

District Court Judge James Boasberg found that the true purpose for the government’s case was to pressure Powell to lower rates or otherwise resign.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

“Huge wingspan. Forked tail. It had a white chest but was otherwise black.”

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila