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

A disclaimer at the end of each episode acknowledges Adams’ denial that he was ever a member of the IRA or involved in political violence; it’s a claim “Say Nothing” otherwise freely dismisses.

From Los Angeles Times

Intensely thoughtful adaptations like this restore it, opening our eyes to corners of recent history we’d otherwise miss and benefit from knowing.

From Salon

"Her politics, which are otherwise incoherent, tend to be sympathetic to these two strongmen, painting America as the problem and the dictators as misunderstood," wrote anti-Trump conservative and former Naval War College professor Tom Nichols in an op-ed published by The Atlantic.

From Salon

Gaetz graduated from William & Mary Law School but otherwise has no experience that would suggest he’s qualified to lead the Department of Justice.

From Salon

He argued that otherwise "we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner."

From BBC