otherwise

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   in other respects or ways

   I like to think that I'm otherwise a normal, healthy person.

2. 2
   adj

   other than as supposed or expected

   the outcome was otherwise

3. 3
   adv

   Differently, in another way.

   You may have a point, but I think otherwise.

4. 4
   adv

   In different circumstances; or else.

   I’m not well today, otherwise I would have helped.

5. 5
   adv

   In all other respects.

   He lost his temper once in a while. Otherwise he behaved rationally.

6. 6
   adj

   Other than supposed; different.

   He said he didn’t do it, but the evidence was otherwise.

7. 7
   adv

   in another and different manner

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”).