other

1 of 5

adjective

oth·​er ˈə-t͟hər How to pronounce other (audio)
1
a
: being the one (as of two or more) remaining or not included
held on with one hand and waved with the other one
b
: being the one or ones distinct from that or those first mentioned or implied
taller than the other boys
c
: second
every other day
2
: not the same : different
any other color would have been better
something other than it seems to be
3
: additional
sold in the U.S. and 14 other countries
4
a
: recently past
the other evening
b
: former
in other times
5
: disturbingly or threateningly different : alien, exotic

other

2 of 5

noun

1
: a different or additional one
the others came later
2
a
: one that remains of two or more
b
: a thing opposite to or excluded by something else
went from one side to the other
nature as the other of culture
3
a
: one (such as another person) that is psychologically differentiated from the self
b
often capitalized : one considered by members of a dominant group as alien, exotic, threatening, or inferior (as because of different racial, sexual, or cultural characteristics)

other

3 of 5

pronoun

sometimes plural in construction
1
: a different or additional one
something or other
2
obsolete
a
: one of two that remains
b
: each preceding one

other

4 of 5

adverb

: otherwise
used with than
was unable to see them other than by going to their home

other

5 of 5

verb

othered; othering

transitive verb

: to treat or consider (a person or a group of people) as alien to oneself or one's group (as because of different racial, sexual, or cultural characteristics)
… we trace how in small rural communities these processes of othering the poor are racializedVictoria Lawson et al.
You go in and don't have to go some dark, scary corner for the plus-size section. It can make you feel like you're not being othered and dehumanized.Amanda Levitt
othering
ˈə-t͟hə-riŋ How to pronounce other (audio)
ˈət͟h-
noun
I am a black writer struggling with and through a language that can powerfully evoke and enforce hidden signs of racial superiority, cultural hegemony, and dismissive "othering" of people … Toni Morrison

Did you know?

Is other a verb?

Like many English words, other possesses great flexibility in meaning and function. Over the past few centuries, it has served as an adjective, an adverb, a noun, and a pronoun. In recent decades, other has increased its part-of-speech portfolio to include verb use, having acquired the meaning "to treat or consider (a person or a group of people) as alien to oneself or one's group (as because of different racial, sexual, or cultural characteristics).” Some people find it disconcerting when a word takes on a new part of speech, a process known as functional shift. The phenomenon is quite common, however -- our language contains many thousands of words which have been formed in this fashion.

Examples of other in a Sentence

Adjective These and other issues will be discussed at the next meeting. The driver's wife and two other passengers were injured in the accident. Leaders from China, Russia, and 14 other countries attended the conference.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
To reply to other posts, simply include ‘re:’ or ‘to’ the topic in the subject line of your post. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Until now, the case — and the multiple letters of support for Peck, written by other actors — was sealed and Bell’s identity was secret. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 17 Mar. 2024 Earlier this month, Chevy, his wife and all three of their daughters opened up to Bedford & New Canaan Magazine about parenthood and how important their family is to each other. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024 Donation driven To address an immediate need for A positive blood and an ongoing need for all other blood types Stanford Blood Center is offering rewards for blood donors throughout the month of March. Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 The United States and other countries have warned that a military operation in Rafah could be disastrous. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 17 Mar. 2024 Your other members of Congress must have heard something that alarmed them. ABC News, 17 Mar. 2024 Three other family members who were in the home, including one minor, successfully hid from Gordon during the attack, according to Schorn. Dalia Faheid, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 Instead of relying on machine manufacturing, artisans make each component—plus all the molds and other tools used to produce them—by hand at the brand’s factory in Normandy. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2024
Noun
While several audience members are showcased nodding along and listening, during the mother-daughter segment, others seem to be vigorously shaking their heads in dissent. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 It’s done by changing the patterns of modifications on our DNA, so some genes are silenced and others are allowed to remain active. Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2024 Some families may prefer giving gifts in traditional Easter baskets while others may hide goodies during an Easter egg hunt or share them in another way. Maya Polton, Parents, 18 Mar. 2024 But as torrential rain pummeled the 86-acre open-air festival grounds, one artist’s performance was canceled, and others had their sets cut short. Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2024 The point of any story is to relate a message — one that could, in the end, help others feel less alone. Jessica Ferri, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 The infectious energy of these fans creates a sense of community, one that others want to be a part of. Howard Murphy, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024 Sofia isn’t afraid of work and is always taking on assignments that others would shirk at. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley and Soto Street on the Eastside, among dozens of others, would get new bike lanes. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024
Adverb
Indeed there had been other more obvious candidates for the job. Nicole Gull McElroy, Fortune, 16 June 2022 Vasquez has his own namesake park, the spectacular Vasquez Rocks, his onetime hideout — hundreds of acres with fabled, other-worldly sandstone formations in Agua Dulce. Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2022 Thankfully, other more tasteful colors are available. Scott Oldham, Car and Driver, 20 May 2020 That economic frailty has damaged other important sources of investor income as well. Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 15 May 2020 Cases of people in both categories should be reported as likely Covid-19 only if there is no other more plausible diagnosis, the recommendations say. Pam Belluck, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2020 With the civil rights era, other more egregious wrongs in the American electoral system were gradually rectified, and so even more attention focused on the census itself. Anna Diamond, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Apr. 2020 Also, if that camera isn’t your cup of tea, there are several other more expensive, fancier Instax camera options as well as less expensive options you can get used, or factory renewed, for much cheaper. oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2020 Beyond other more established Counter Strike events, the new league will also have to bang it out with another esports league that features a realistic, first-person shooter video game. Noah Smith, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'other.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Noun, Pronoun, and Adverb

Middle English, from Old English ōther; akin to Old High German andar other, Sanskrit antara

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of other was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near other

Cite this Entry

“Other.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/other. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

other

1 of 4 adjective
oth·​er ˈət͟h-ər How to pronounce other (audio)
1
: not being the one or ones first mentioned or included
broke my other arm
2
: having one come before that is not included or counted : second
every other day
3
: not the same : different
any other color would be better
4
: additional
some other guests are coming
5
: recently past
the other evening

other

2 of 4 noun
1
: a remaining one
lift one foot and then the other
2
: a different or additional one
the others came later

other

3 of 4 pronoun
: a different or additional one
something or other

other

4 of 4 adverb
: otherwise sense 1
could not get there other than by helicopter

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