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 hotel sits within the historic First Residence building complex, which occupies a stretch of riverfront land next to the Giza Zoo. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026

With the help of the nurses in the NICU, including Issabel Kenkel, the couple was able to say their vows while sitting in chairs next to each other with their newborns in their arms. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 11 May 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