otherwise

B1 Topic:Describing Qualities

Also spelled otherways

US /ˈʌð.ɚˌwaɪz/ UK /ˈʌð.əˌwaɪz/ See IPA manual

Freq #1169

Meanings

1

adv
If things were different; or else.

Write it down now, otherwise you'll forget.
2

adv
In all other respects; apart from that.

The flight was delayed, but otherwise the trip was perfect.
3

adv
In a different way; differently.

You may think so, but I believe otherwise.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adv · if things were different;... elseif not

2 adv · in all other respects;... apart from that

3 adv · in a different way;... differently

Opposites

likewise thuswise

Word family

Derived forms otherwiseness

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

otherwise hopeless
having no prospect of success without the exception or help being mentioned

Adverb + adjective

Proverbs (1)

See all

Some are weatherwise, some are otherwise

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”).

otherwise Middle English on ōþre wīsan Old English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# otherwise

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** adv
**IPA (US):** /ˈʌð.ɚˌwaɪz/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈʌð.əˌwaɪz/
**Frequency rank:** 1169

## Meanings
1. If things were different; or else.
2. In all other respects; apart from that.
3. In a different way; differently.

## Examples
- Write it down now, otherwise you'll forget.
- The flight was delayed, but otherwise the trip was perfect.
- You may think so, but I believe otherwise.

## Antonyms
- likewise
- thuswise

## Derived Forms
- otherwiseness

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: otherwise
- Root: on ōþre wīsan
- Affix: -wise - in the manner of

## 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”).

## AI Etymology
Otherwise comes 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”). The historical chain includes Middle English otherwise and Old English on ōþre wīsan. Modern senses include if things were different; or else and in all other respects; apart from that. The wider word family includes derivatives such as otherwiseness.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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