1
: immediately adjacent (as in place, rank, or time)
2
: any other considered hypothetically
knew it as well as the next man
see also:
: nearest or adjacent to
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
: one that is next
from one day to the next
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
Pat Graham, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026
Instead, the data revealed a planet in flux where areas brightened explosively in one year and dimmed sharply the next; regions flickered in rhythms tied to oil booms, armed conflicts, and pandemic lockdowns.
—Bree Shirvell, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The trailer for Prime Video‘s next big summer book adaptation show, Every Year After is here.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Investors meticulously scrutinize the statement, looking for tiny wording changes that could signal what the committee is planning to do next.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Health officials’ decision on what to do next could be delicate.
—Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for next
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The next season, Morton and Staubach also split time — at some points, even alternating every play.
—Pat Graham, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026
Instead, the data revealed a planet in flux where areas brightened explosively in one year and dimmed sharply the next; regions flickered in rhythms tied to oil booms, armed conflicts, and pandemic lockdowns.
—Bree Shirvell, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Preposition
Disneyland officials confirmed that the park has an agreement with the California Air Resources Board to retire the current engines next year.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The trailer for Prime Video‘s next big summer book adaptation show, Every Year After is here.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Adverb
The disagreement reflects a broader divide emerging in Washington as officials weigh what comes next if negotiations fail.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Investors meticulously scrutinize the statement, looking for tiny wording changes that could signal what the committee is planning to do next.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Noun
Today's higher-than-average credit card rates aren't helping, either, as the borrowers who are carrying revolving debt from one month to the next are watching their credit card debt compound rapidly.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Health officials’ decision on what to do next could be delicate.
—Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for next
Cite this Entry
“Next.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
next
1 of 3 adjective
: coming immediately before or following
the next page
the house next to ours
next
2 of 3 preposition(ˈ)nekst
next
3 of 3 adverbˈnekst
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
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