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

Roseman added that the Eagles don’t view the safety depth chart the same way the fans might — Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II are the top internal options to start next to Drew Mukuba — and that there’s still time to address the position. —Zach Berman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

The play can get intense and competitive, but some people are more interested in the social component of mahjong, being next to neighbors and exchanging stories or game tips. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 27 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