Word
else
Phoneticselse
US/ˈɛɫs/
UK/ˈɛls/
Definitions
01other or different
adj. used after words like 'something', 'anybody', or 'who' to mean 'other' or 'different'.
adj. postpositive adjective denoting an additional or different person, thing, or place; typically follows indefinite pronouns or interrogative words.
“If you don't like this shirt, is there anything else you want to try on?”
“The witness claimed to have seen someone else leaving the building, but the security footage failed to corroborate this detail.”
Pitfall
I don't want this book; give me else one.
I don't want this book; give me another one.
'Else' cannot be used before a noun. Use it after words like 'someone' or 'something', or use 'another' before a noun.
Synonyms
02in a different way or place
adv. used after words like 'somewhere' or 'anywhere' to mean in another place.
adv. adverbial use indicating a different manner, time, or location; most frequently follows 'somewhere', 'anywhere', or 'nowhere'.
“The restaurant was too crowded, so we decided to look somewhere else.”
“Having exhausted all local leads, the investigators were forced to look elsewhere for evidence of the suspect's whereabouts.”
03if not / otherwise
conj. used to say what will happen if you do not do something.
conj. used to introduce the second of two alternatives, where the second follows if the first is not realised; often paired as 'or else'.
“You need to leave now, or else you will miss your train.”
“The contract must be signed by midnight, or else the entire agreement will be rendered null and void.”
Synonyms
Etymology
* As an English surname, spelling variant of Ell. As a north German surname, of Low German origin, from Proto-West Germanic aliʀu (“alder”), comparable to Dutch els.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Collocations
Idioms
if nothing else — At the very least; as a minimum.
or else — Implies an unspecified threat if a preceding command is not fulfilled.