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
: 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
Susan Lamotte, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
This year, Canada is trying to make sure there’s a Canada Day next year.
—Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 July 2025
In the letter, which was first reported by The Athletic, the groups cited President Trump's executive order banning visitors from 12 countries as well as the ongoing raids by ICE in communities across the country, some of which are slated to host World Cup matches next summer.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 July 2025
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025
With the Trump team dispensing with all policy assumptions and conventions, more options will be available to whoever comes next.
—Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas News, 8 Mar. 2023
So bouncing from one tone and genre to the next creates a whiplash effect, even though some of the episodes — that fourth one in particular — are quite good.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for next
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Equip recruiters with [hone screen guides that confirm genuine interest, explain next steps, and share realistic timelines.
—Susan Lamotte, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
This year, Canada is trying to make sure there’s a Canada Day next year.
—Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
Preposition
In a depleted Eastern Conference that feels up for grabs after superstar injuries derailed Indiana and Boston’s title ambitions next season, Atlanta is quietly positioning itself to become a contender.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 July 2025
In the letter, which was first reported by The Athletic, the groups cited President Trump's executive order banning visitors from 12 countries as well as the ongoing raids by ICE in communities across the country, some of which are slated to host World Cup matches next summer.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 July 2025
Adverb
What came next was a six-week shutdown, followed by a slow build-up in which Montas resumed throwing in April, began a rehab assignment in May and was finally deemed ready to make his season debut on Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025
With the Trump team dispensing with all policy assumptions and conventions, more options will be available to whoever comes next.
—Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Noun
One sport to the next sees what the other has done and wants some of the same stuff.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas News, 8 Mar. 2023
So bouncing from one tone and genre to the next creates a whiplash effect, even though some of the episodes — that fourth one in particular — are quite good.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for next
Cite this Entry
“Next.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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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