# otherwise

> English word · Adverb · IPA /ˈʌð.əˌwaɪz/ · frequency rank #1,401

## Definitions
1. Differently, in another way.
2. In different circumstances; or else.
3. In all other respects.

## 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”).

## Common misspellings (13)
`ohterwise`, `otehrwise`, `otheriwse`, `otherrwise`, `otherwies`, `otherwisse`, `otherwsie`, `otherwwise`, `othewrise`, `othherwise`, `othrewise`, `ottherwise`, `toherwise`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/otherwise