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Showing results for otherness. Search instead for outsidernesses.
Synonyms

otherness

American  
[uhth-er-nis] / ˈʌð ər nɪs /

noun

  1. the state or fact of being different or distinct.

  2. the quality or state of being perceived or treated as different, foreign, strange, etc..

    Certain ethnic groups embrace their otherness.


otherness British  
/ ˈʌðənɪs /

noun

  1. the quality of being different or distinct in appearance, character, etc

"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

Etymology

Origin of otherness

First recorded in 1580–90; other + -ness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The withholding nature of Chernin’s Leo poses some theatrical risks but goes a long way toward explaining how the character’s otherness could be turned against him in such a malignant way.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 20, 2025

Penfolds refers to these blends as "wine of the world", and says that they "possess an otherness that can best be described as worldly".

From BBC Jan. 24, 2025

As a result, it delves into race and the otherness experienced by a girl who was longing to belong.

From Los Angeles Times May 29, 2024

Because I break bread with and claim to be part of this marked construct, this otherness, complete with jail time within the carceral state, allow me to enlighten you.

From Salon Jan. 1, 2024

In that moonlit hour, I acquired a sense of the otherness of things.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli

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