otherwise
//ˈʌð.əˌwaɪz//
Definitions
1.Differently, in another way.
- Could I do otherwise than smile?
- You may have a point, but I think otherwise.
- It is not permitted to sell or otherwise distribute any copies.
2.In different circumstances; or else.
- I’m not well today, otherwise I would have helped.
- You have to open your umbrella, otherwise you'll get wet.
- No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or otherwise his man would be there with a message to say that his master would shortly join me if I would kindly wait.
3.In all other respects; apart from that; except for this.
- There was one rotten apple in an otherwise perfect batch.
- He lost his temper once in a while. Otherwise he behaved rationally.
1.Other than supposed; different.
- He said he didn’t do it, but the evidence was otherwise.
- Statistics need lots of information, digital and otherwise.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1377
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
Word family
Etymology
From Middle English otherwise, othre wise, from Old English on ōþre wīsan (literally “in (on) other/different manner”); equivalent to other + -wise.
Compare West Frisian yn oarwei (“otherwise”), Icelandic öðruvísi (“different”).