Standard Lemma guide

otherly

adj · adv · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Pertaining to something or someone else; different.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Pertaining or directed toward others; otherish.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adv

Meaning 3

Otherwise; differently.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: nonstandard

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From other + -ly.

From Middle English otherliche, from Old English ōþerlīċe (“otherwise, differently”), equivalent to other + -ly. Cognate with Old Saxon ōþarlīk, Old High German andarlīh, Icelandic annarligur, Gothic 𐌰𐌽𐌸𐌰𐍂𐌻𐌴𐌹𐌺𐍉 (anþarleikō, “otherwise”).