next

1 of 4

adjective

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

next

2 of 4

preposition

: nearest or adjacent to

next

3 of 4

adverb

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

next

4 of 4

noun

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English nīehst, superlative of nēah nigh — more at nigh

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of next was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Next.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids 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 adverb
ˈnekst
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

More from Merriam-Webster on next

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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