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oth‧er‧wise S1 W2
1 [sentence adverb] used when saying what bad thing will happen if something is not done : 
You'll have to go now, otherwise you'll miss your bus.Put your coat on, otherwise you'll get cold.
You'll have to go now, otherwise you'll miss your bus.Put your coat on, otherwise you'll get cold.2 [sentence adverb] used when saying what would have happened or might have happened if something else had not happened : We were delayed at the airport. Otherwise we would have been here by lunch time. They got two free tickets to Canada, otherwise they'd never have been able to afford to go.
We were delayed at the airport. Otherwise we would have been here by lunch time.They got two free tickets to Canada, otherwise they'd never have been able to afford to go.3 to say, think, or decide something different : The government claims that the economy is improving, but this survey suggests otherwise. A lot of people think otherwise.
say/think/decide etc otherwise
The government claims that the economy is improving, but this survey suggests otherwise.A lot of people think otherwise.4 except for what has just been mentioned : He was tired but otherwise in good health.
He was tired but otherwise in good health. [sentence adverb] I could hear the distant noise of traffic. Otherwise all was still.
I could hear the distant noise of traffic. Otherwise all was still. [+ adjective/adverb] This spoiled an otherwise excellent piece of work. Their arrival livened up an otherwise dull afternoon.
This spoiled an otherwise excellent piece of work.Their arrival livened up an otherwise dull afternoon.5 used to refer to the opposite of what has just been mentioned : We welcome any comments from viewers, favourable or otherwise. The truth or otherwise of this diagnosis would be revealed in the future.
or otherwise
especially British EnglishWe welcome any comments from viewers, favourable or otherwise.The truth or otherwise of this diagnosis would be revealed in the future.6 busy doing something else : I'm afraid I will be otherwise engaged that day.
otherwise engaged
formalI'm afraid I will be otherwise engaged that day.8 formal in a different way : people who smoke or otherwise abuse their bodies
people who smoke or otherwise abuse their bodies9 used to say that it is impossible for something to be different from the way it is : Life in the military is hard - how can it be otherwise?
it cannot be otherwise/how can it be otherwise?
formalLife in the military is hard - how can it be otherwise?
