others

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

oth•er /ˈʌðɚ/   adj. [before a noun]

1. additional:
   I made one other purchase.
2. different from the one mentioned:
   Some other player might be better at the game.
3. (used to refer to the remaining or second one of two persons or things, as when the person or thing is known from the discussion or context, or has already been mentioned):
   [the + ~] wore no rings on the other hand.
4. being the remaining ones of a number:
   [~ + plural noun] Some other countries may join the boycott.
5. former;
   earlier:
   sailing ships of other days.
6. not long past:
   [the + ~] I saw her the other night.

n. [countable]

7. the other one:
   Each praises the other.

pron. 

8. Usually, others. [plural] other persons or things:
   Others in the medical profession may not like this.
9. some person or thing else:
   [singular] Surely some friend or other will help me.

adv. 

10. other than, otherwise;
    differently:
    We can't collect the rent other than by suing the tenant.

Idioms

11. every other, the first or the second of a pair:
    skipping every other page.
12. on the other (hand), (used to introduce the second of two ideas that contrast with each other):
    On the one hand, we could go; on the other (hand), we could stay.
13. Idioms the other side of the coin, the second, different choice or point of view to consider.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

oth•er  (uᵺ′ər), adj. 

1. additional or further:
   he and one other person.
2. different or distinct from the one mentioned or implied:
   in some other city; Some other design may be better.
3. different in nature or kind:
   I would not have him other than he is.
4. being the remaining one of two or more:
   the other hand.
5. (used with plural nouns) being the remaining ones of a number:
   the other men; some other countries.
6. former;
   earlier:
   sailing ships of other days.
7. not long past:
   the other night.
8. Idioms every other, every alternate:
   a meeting every other week.

n. 

9. the other one:
   Each praises the other.

pron. 

10. Usually, others. other persons or things:
    others in the medical profession.
11. some person or thing else:
    Surely some friend or other will help me.

adv. 

12. otherwise;
    differently (usually fol. by than):
    We can't collect the rent other than by suing the tenant.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English ōther (pronoun, adjective, adjectival, and noun, nominal); cognate with German ander, Gothic anthar; akin to Sanskrit antara-