next

1 of 4

adjective

ˈnekst 

1

: immediately adjacent (as in place, rank, or time)

2

: any other considered hypothetically

knew it as well as the next man

see also:

next to nothing

next

2 of 4

preposition

: nearest or adjacent to

next

3 of 4

adverb

1

: in the time, place, or order nearest or immediately succeeding

next we drove home

the next closest school

2

: on the first occasion to come

when next we meet

next

4 of 4

noun

: one that is next

from one day to the next

Synonyms of next

Adjective

• following
• ensuing
• second
• coming

Examples of next in a Sentence

Adjective

I'll see you next Monday.

Next year's party will be even better.

the very next thing that happened

Can I help the next person in line? Who's next?

We could hear people talking in the next room.

At the next set of lights, turn left.

I need the next size up.

The next time we will see each other will be on our wedding day.

Next time, please remember to bring your books to class.

She knew the answer as well as the next person.

Adverb

Next, I need to ask you a few questions about your family.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The next day, the firm would claim to file the first lawsuit against the owners of the leaking chemical tank. — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Hopefully, the next administration will see some sense and once again try to protect the citizenry with stricter gun laws. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026

Preposition

Meanwhile, the existing 3-K program is getting 2,000 new seats next school year. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026

Two months after another frustrating playoff finish, the 76ers now look ahead with a reasonable expectation to be among the conference favorites next season. — Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Adverb

Investors need to ask what is already in the price, who owns the trade, what must happen next, and where the downside sits if the path becomes less smooth. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

What to read next What a great way to start the second weekend of July! — Joe Rao, Space.com, 10 July 2026

Noun

Where the Stars sit with Jason Robertson This summer and next are the most important of Robertson’s career. — Mac Engel july 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026

In the next, he is pursued by a demon crone known in local legend as the Sea Hag. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English nīehst, superlative of nēah nigh — more at nigh

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Preposition

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing next

• better luck next time
• cleanliness is next to godliness
• from one day to the next
• from one minute to the next
• from one moment to the next
• girl next door
• in the next life
• next best
• next-door
• next-door neighbor
• next door to
• next friend
• next-gen
• next-generation
• next-level
• next of kin
• next to
• next to last
• next to nothing
• the boy/girl next door
• the next best thing
• the next big thing
• the next couple of
• the next life
• the next man/person
• the next thing I knew
• week after next

Rhymes for next

• flexed
• sexed
• text
• vexed
• ciphertext
• hypertext
• multiplexed
• teletext
• complexed
• deflexed
• perplexed
• plaintext

Kids Definition

next

1 of 3 adjective

ˈnekst 

: coming immediately before or following

the next page

the house next to ours

next

2 of 3 preposition

(ˈ)nekst

: next to entry 1

next

3 of 3 adverb

ˈnekst

1

: in the nearest time, place, or order following

open this package next

2

: at the first time to come after this

when next we meet