otherwise

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pronoun

oth·​er·​wise ˈə-t͟hər-ˌwīz 

: something or anything else : something to the contrary

was ordered to testify and could not do otherwise

otherwise

2 of 3

adverb

1

: in a different way or manner

glossed over or otherwise handled

—Playboy

All shows begin at 8:00 unless otherwise noted.

2

: in different circumstances

might otherwise have left

The test helps identify problems that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.

3

: in other respects

an otherwise flimsy farce

—Current Biography

I didn't like the ending, but otherwise it was a very good book.

The patient had a foot problem, but she was otherwise healthy.

4

: if not

do what I tell you, otherwise you'll be sorry

Tickets can be bought in advance at a discount; otherwise they can be purchased at the door for full price.

5

: not

—paired with an adjective, adverb, noun, or verb to indicate its contrary or to suggest an indefinite alternative

people whose deeds, admirable or otherwise

—John Fischer

almost thirty thousand women, Irish and otherwise

—J. M. Burns

his opinion as to the success or otherwise of it

—Australian Dictionary of Biography

otherwise

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adjective

: different

if conditions were otherwise

Synonyms

Adverb

• differently
• else
• other (than)

Examples of otherwise in a Sentence

Adverb

All of the books had been burned or otherwise destroyed.

The women talked in the living room while the men were otherwise occupied.

Art allows us to express things that we would not be able to express otherwise.

Something must be wrong; otherwise, he would have called.

The test helps identify problems that might otherwise go unnoticed.

One of the boys has a freckle on his cheek. Otherwise, the twins are nearly identical.

I didn't like the ending, but otherwise it was a very good book.

Adjective

If conditions were otherwise, I wouldn't be so worried.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

In addition to being functional, kitchen items like pots and pans, cooking utensils, and gadgets give you the opportunity to inject personality and style into otherwise mundane, boring household items. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 June 2024

Not in the Dodgers’ clubhouse before the game, when Yamamoto sat alone at his locker, then with his legs propped up on a black leather couch, quietly reviewing scouting reports as reporters swarmed the otherwise empty room. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024

The filings offer one of the only windows into the financial interests of the Supreme Court justices and their spouses, providing a modicum of transparency to an otherwise highly opaque branch of government. —Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 7 June 2024

Fierce headwinds for Tesla That’s tough luck for Musk’s detractors, such as early Tesla investor and onetime board director Steve Westly, who otherwise would have the perfect opportunity to topple the CEO from his perch. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Pronoun, Adverb, and Adjective

Middle English, from Old English (on) ōthre wīsan in another manner

First Known Use

Pronoun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing otherwise

• and otherwise
• know different/otherwise
• or otherwise
• otherwise engaged
• otherwise known as

Kids Definition

otherwise

adverb

oth·​er·​wise

ˈə-t͟hər-ˌwīz

1

: in a different way : differently

could not do otherwise

2

: in different circumstances

otherwise we might have won

3

: in other respects

the otherwise busy street