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 /

sentence connector

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

The NBC show was flagging in the ratings — despite Trump insisting otherwise — and he wanted what he always craved: a better deal.

From Los Angeles Times

To maintain this close bond, heart cockles have mastered the art of indoor gardening, directing light to their otherwise dark interiors.

From Science Daily

Being an expert in the field of Earth system modeling, the Mainz-based geoscientist values the new detailed simulation models as tools to interrogate and assess theories about the world in ways not possible otherwise.

From Science Daily

He said Justice Department officials had passed on charging Hunter Biden before special counsel David Weiss decided otherwise — which he said “smacks of politics.”

From Los Angeles Times

Another option could be loyalty programs, which incentivize moviegoers to go to theaters more often, and perhaps also to take chances on films they may have otherwise skipped.

From Los Angeles Times