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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
And yet art-world institutions—including major museums, schools, commercial galleries, and publishing outlets—have mostly avoided the fawning capitulation of universities and Democrats, simply going quiet in the hope of escaping notice for the next three years.
—Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
For the project, students used artificial intelligence (AI) as a creative tool to redesign an area on campus that is scheduled for improvements next year.
—Del Mar Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 June 2026
As for what’s next, Parsons says the story is far from finished.
—Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 3 June 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.
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Adjective
In terms of energy efficiency, the hotel has a target of reducing emissions by 25% over the next five years through the implementation of new water heating and climate control systems as well as by obtaining electricity from renewable sources.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
And yet art-world institutions—including major museums, schools, commercial galleries, and publishing outlets—have mostly avoided the fawning capitulation of universities and Democrats, simply going quiet in the hope of escaping notice for the next three years.
—Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Preposition
More than 90,000 spectators are expected to descend on the grounds next week for the mixed martial arts fights intended to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
For the project, students used artificial intelligence (AI) as a creative tool to redesign an area on campus that is scheduled for improvements next year.
—Del Mar Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Adverb
The duo recently sold out headlining performances at the Moontower and Netflix Is a Joke comedy festivals and will next headline Just For Laughs Montreal later this year.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 June 2026
As for what’s next, Parsons says the story is far from finished.
—Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 3 June 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 5 Jun. 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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