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

Each generation has had a star individual who rose above the collective, with Jude Bellingham seemingly the next in line after his starring role at this year’s World Cup. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Israel has rejected the latest US plan to move towards the next stage of peace in Gaza, demanding the full disarmament of Hamas before any Israeli forces withdraw. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026

Preposition

Infantino could look ahead to his likely reelection coronation next March. — Graham Dunbar, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026

The Sacramento Police Department is plans to purchase 52 new drones next year, eight of which will be part of a pilot program experimenting with using the technology to respond to 911 calls. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Adverb

Start with the practical fix that frees attention for what matters next. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026

The ball, therefore, is in UEFA’s court as to what to do next. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 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