otherwhere

otherwhere — adverb

1. in or to another place, rather than here or the place already being discussed

1.adverbC2
Definition

in or to another place, rather than here or the place already being discussed

Example

Jason found the missing glove otherwhere, tucked behind the kitchen clock.

otherwhere after a verb of finding

After the flood, Mira's family chose to build otherwhere on higher ground.

move or settle otherwhere after leaving a place

Synonyms
  • elsewhere

    the normal modern word for the same idea

  • somewhere else

    more conversational and less literary

  • away

    less precise because it does not always point to another place

Antonyms
  • here

    points to this place rather than a different one

Grammar Patterns

be + otherwhere

go/move + otherwhere

Usage Note

This word is rare and literary. In everyday modern English, people usually say 'elsewhere' instead.

Common Mistakes

Most signs say otherwhere on modern city maps.
Most signs say elsewhere on modern city maps.
'otherwhere' is rare and literary, while 'elsewhere' is the normal modern choice.

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Otherwhere' means 'in another place', but it sounds rare and literary in modern English. 'Elsewhere' is the normal modern choice in both speech and writing: 'The files are stored elsewhere.' 'Somewhere else' is even more conversational and often appears when a speaker changes plans: 'Let's sit somewhere else.' 'Anywhere else' is different because it is used in negatives, questions, or broad choices: 'Would you rather live anywhere else?' If you want plain modern English, choose 'elsewhere' or 'somewhere else'. Use 'otherwhere' only when you want an old-fashioned or strongly literary tone.

otherwhere ↗elsewhere ↗somewhere elseanywhere else

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Built from 'other' and 'where', this word developed in older English as a way to mean 'in another place'. It survives mostly in literary or old-fashioned use, while modern everyday English usually prefers 'elsewhere'.