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 Republican National Committee announced on Saturday the full list of keynote speakers who will stump for Republican candidates at the midterm elections convention next week. — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026

Few could have imagined then, just how far women’s boxing would travel, carried high on Taylor’s shoulders, over the next 17 years. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Preposition

Analysts also doubt the chairman will hint at the Fed’s decision next month. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Yesterday, Screen Scotland officially announced plans for a new event next August, spearheaded by Rowan Woods, formerly of the Edinburgh TV Festival parish. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026

Adverb

Beginning the season against Liverpool at home and Spurs away has a part to play in that, and Newcastle’s approach could change with Bournemouth, Leeds United, Millwall (EFL Cup) and Hull City up next. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

All of that pregame commotion set the stage for what came next. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Noun

In the next, Frank posed for a photo in front of Frozen animation drawings of Anna and Idina Menzel’s Elsa. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

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

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