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

“Truth always matters,” said Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster and strategist, who said any client thinking otherwise would be shown the door.

From Los Angeles Times

Art Carney plays an otherwise unemployed alcoholic department store Santa, saddened by a world where “the only thing that comes down the chimney is more poverty.”

From Los Angeles Times

"By studying hepatitis A, we have been slowly learning more about cellular responses, the immune system, and even some aspects of cancer that we wouldn't know otherwise."

From Science Daily

States that join the treaty may want to make sure that they themselves are able to prosecute all the crimes that it covers - otherwise the court may intervene.

From BBC

Ozempic presents a tremendous opportunity to get providers on board who might not otherwise be comfortable with prescribing medications for addiction.

From Salon