next to

1 of 2

preposition

1

: immediately following or adjacent to

2

: in comparison to

next to you I'm wealthy

next to

2 of 2

adverb

: very nearly : almost

it was next to impossible to see in the fog

Synonyms of next to

Preposition

• near
• around
• next door to
• beside
• by
• at

Adverb

• almost
• nearly
• practically
• just about
• fairly
• about
• pretty much

Examples of next to in a Sentence

Preposition

enjoys living next to the ocean

next to the war, the flagging economy was the biggest campaign issue

Adverb

bought it for next to nothing

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

The proposal was to close the Churchill Avenue crossing, which is right next to Palo Alto High School, but the community is divided on what is the best way to protect kids. —Andrea Nakano, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

There will be a Jardin des Chefs — a chefs' garden — for fans to sample French gastronomy in an area next to Court Simonne-Mathieu. —ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026

Adverb

Wall-to-wall carpeting extends into the dining room, next to the tiled kitchen. —Sandra Barrera, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026

Witnesses reportedly told police King had been hanging around outside the apartment, inquiring about Toney’s whereabouts, and was seen standing next to his body after the gunshots rang out. —Tom Olsen, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Preposition

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1596, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for next to

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

next to

1 of 2 preposition

: immediately following : being close to

next to the head of her class

next to

2 of 2 adverb

: very nearly : almost