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

See Examples For:

otherwise

It’s the one place where her otherwise robust public display of compliance falters.

From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026

According to Dr Philipp Schlegel, co-author of the study, the circuit has to be just right, otherwise the consequneces for the poor male could be dire.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

To test whether that approach might work, the scientists gave otherwise normal 22-month-old mice an experimental drug that inhibits EP2 for two months.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 2026

Lynch’s affection for the city and its singular luminance emanates from the intimate prints documenting its otherwise overlooked corners.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

Her husband’s halfhearted clapping echoed in the otherwise silent room; after a moment he stopped and sat on his hands in shame.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood