English Online Dictionary. What means otherwise? What does otherwise mean?
English
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”).
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈʌð.əˌwaɪz/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈʌð.ɚˌwaɪz/
Adverb
otherwise (not comparable)
- (manner) Differently, in another way.
- 1927-29, M.K. Gandhi, The Story of My Experiments with Truth, translated 1940 by Mahadev Desai, Part I, Chapter iii:
- Much as I wish that I had not to write this chapter, I know that I shall have to swallow many such bitter draughts in the course of this narrative. And I cannot do otherwise, if I claim to be a worshipper of Truth. […]
- (conjunctive) In different circumstances; or else.
- (conjunctive) In all other respects.
Usage notes
- "Otherwise" is often used to refer to the negative of something. The something may be a noun phrase, a verb phrase, an adjective phrase, an adverb phrase, a clause, or even something larger.
Synonyms
- (differently): elsewise, contrarily, contrastingly
- (in different circumstances): if not, else (see or else)
- (in all other respects): apart from that
Antonyms
- likewise
Derived terms
Translations
Adjective
otherwise (not comparable)
- Other than supposed; different.