Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

otherwise

/ˈʌð.ɚˌwaɪz/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.88 in modern English

Syllables: oth-er-wise
IPA: /ˈʌð.ɚˌwaɪz/

15

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

Differently, in another way.

adv

In different circumstances; or else.

adv

In all other respects; apart from that; except for this.

adj

Other than supposed; different.

Example Sentences

"Near-synonyms: contrarily, contrastingly"
"You may have a point, but I think otherwise."
"Do you want the newest items put up top, or do you want it done otherwise?"
"Could I do otherwise than smile?"
"It is not permitted to sell or otherwise distribute any copies."
"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, euen the wordes of our Lord Iesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godlinesse:"

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”).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: otherwise, on ōþre wīsan
Suffix: other

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈʌð.ɚˌwaɪz/
British English: /ˈʌð.əˌwaɪz/

Derived Forms

otherwiseness

Phrases

otherwise engaged until proven otherwise

Synonyms

elsewise contrarily contrastingly differently

Antonyms

likewise thuswise nohow in no way not at all by no means

Questions

How do you pronounce otherwise?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈʌð.ɚˌwaɪz/.
What does otherwise mean?: Differently, in another way.
Where does otherwise come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce otherwise

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “otherwise”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈʌð.ɚˌwaɪz/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “otherwise”.
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