Meanings
otherly1
comparative more otherly · superlative most otherly
- Pertaining to something or someone else; different.
[...] sense of cultural pride, we have become fixated on the only apparent characteristic that labels us as otherly.
2000, Phoebe Eng, Warrior Lessons: An Asian American Woman's Journey Into Power1 more example
As against this "otherly" and warlike definition, there occurs and recurs, both in the public relations literature and in the serious discussion of policy, a more "brotherly" and peaceful set of themes, parallel to those which permit [...]
1989, John R. Seeley, Community chest: a case study in philanthropy - Pertaining or directed toward others; otherish.
He has no needs or wants that are not met within the eternal community of otherly love known as the triune Godhead of Father, Son, and Spirit. God doesn't need us.
2011, Ed Cook, Just a Thought
otherly2
comparative more otherly · superlative most otherly
- nonstandardOtherwise; differently.
Synonyms & antonyms
Origin
otherly · adverb
- Old Englishōþerlīċe“otherwise, differently”
- Middle Englishotherliche
- Englishotherly
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”).
More words from Middle English, Old English
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
otherly. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/otherly
“otherly.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/otherly. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “otherly,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/otherly.
Source: otherly on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.