otherwise

Universal Words adverb 1 used to state what the result would be if sth did not happen or if the situation were different: My parents lent me the money. Otherwise, I couldn't have afforded the trip. * Shut the window, otherwise it'll get too cold in here. * We're committed to the project. We wouldn't be here otherwise. 2 apart from that: There was some music playing upstairs. Otherwise the house was silent. * He was slightly bruised but otherwise unhurt. 3 in a different way to the way mentioned; differently: Bismarck, otherwise known as 'the Iron Chancellor' * It is not permitted to sell or otherwise distribute copies of past examination papers. * You know what this is about. Why pretend otherwise (= that you don't)? * I wanted to see him but he was otherwise engaged (= doing sth else). IDIOMS or otherwise used to refer to sth that is different from or the opposite of what has just been mentioned: It was necessary to discover the truth or otherwise of these statements. * We insure against all damage, accidental or otherwise. moreatKNOWv.