otherwise

[uhth-er-wahyz]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of otherwise¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English (on) ōthre wīsan “(in) another manner”; equivalent to other + -wise

Word History and Origins

Origin of otherwise¹

C14: from Old English on ōthre wīsan in other manner

Example Sentences

As the Supreme Court has held repeatedly since federal pollution-control statutes displaced federal common-law claims, such disputes may proceed unless they are expressly pre-empted by or otherwise in conflict with federal law.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Something has got to change - otherwise you'll end up with a generation of children that are failed and parents that are beyond burnt out."

Read more on BBC

There was the occasional billboard outside airports, and those increased in number once you got nearer to the grounds, but otherwise it was very low-key.

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"Traditionally, the intense heat of firing destroys any biological residue. However, our technique has been able to reveal fingerprint ridges that would otherwise remain imperceptible."

Read more on Science Daily

Whether O'Neill sticks around for the final or not, he has at worst provided a path for players who otherwise might have been rocking up suited and booted and seated in the stands.

Read more on BBC