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🔄 Another one ⚠️ Otherwise
else

else

495 1.0
Says that something bad will happen if something is not done
  • adverb
  • /ɛls/
translation icon : si no
  • Either the crew had escaped, or else they had already been taken prisoner.
  • or else
  • if all else fails

So if nothing else, they say, man, wow.

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Examples

  • We need to find a different restaurant for dinner, or else we'll end up eating the same food again.

  • You should ask your teacher for help, or else you might struggle in the exam.

  • Like it has to be something else, right?

  • OK, now what else can I say about these?

  • If we're on here, where else does it go to?

  • So yeah, man, what else is going on?

  • So all right, what else do I have to say?

  • Now, where else does this become an issue?

  • You know, what else was I going to do?

  • Well, what else could I do?

    Gable and Lombard (1976)

Synonyms

otherwise
vselse
∞ 3.2

If not, something else will happen

expresses the same idea but functions after a conjunction rather than alone
or else
vselse
209 2.0

Shows what will happen if something is not done, often as a warning

is used after the conjunction rather than as a full phrase

Idioms

or else
209 2.0

Shows what will happen if something is not done, often as a warning

nothing else
161 2.1

At least one thing is true, even if no other thing is

anyshit else
  • Offensive
9.9

A rude slang phrase for any other thing when you do not care

Surface Forms

else positive

Etymology

Else comes from an old English word like other that meant 'other'. So in phrases like 'or else' it means 'otherwise' and gives a warning about what will happen if you do not act.