Lots, almost or otherwise (4)
I believe the answer is:
scad
'or otherwise' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'lots almost' is the wordplay.
'lots' becomes 'scads' (synonyms).
'almost' means to remove the last letter (most of the word but not all of it).
'scads' with its final letter taken away is 'SCAD'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scad that I've seen before include "fish" , "Jack" , "A lot of money for American" .)