next

[ nekst ]

adjective

1. immediately following in time, order, importance, etc.:

   the next day;

   the next person in line.

2. nearest or adjacent in place or position:

   the next room.

3. nearest in relationship or kinship.

adverb

1. in the place, time, importance, etc., nearest or immediately following:

   We're going to London next.

   This is my next oldest daughter.

2. on the first occasion to follow:

   when next we meet.

preposition

1. adjacent to; nearest:

   It's in the closet next the blackboard.

next

/ nɛkst /

adjective

1. immediately following

   do it next week

   the next patient to be examined

2. immediately adjoining

   the next room

3. closest to in degree

   the tallest boy next to James

   the next-best thing

4. the next but one
   the next but one the one after the next

adverb

1. at a time or on an occasion immediately to follow

   next, he started to unscrew the telephone receiver

   the patient to be examined next

2. next to
   next to
   1. adjacent to; at or on one side of

      the house next to ours

   2. following in degree

      next to your mother, who do you love most?

   3. almost

      next to impossible

preposition

1. archaic.
   next to

Word History and Origins

Origin of next¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English next(e), Old English nēxt, nēhst, niehst “nighest,” superlative of nēah nigh ( -est ¹ ); cognate with Icelandic nǣstr, German nächst; near

Word History and Origins

Origin of next¹

Old English nēhst, superlative of nēah nigh ; compare near , neighbour

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get next to (someone), Informal. to get into the favor or good graces of; become a good friend of.
2. next door to,
   1. in an adjacent house, apartment, office, etc.; neighboring.
   2. in a position of proximity; near to:

      They are next door to poverty.

3. next to,
   1. adjacent to:

      He sat next to his sister.

   2. almost; nearly:

      next to impossible.

   3. aside from:

      Next to cake, ice cream is my favorite dessert.

More idioms and phrases containing next

• cleanliness is next to godliness

Example Sentences

In fact, according to F-35 program sources, the next software upgrades are not yet fully defined nor are they fully funded.

From The Daily Beast

But we are afraid and we wonder to ourselves who will be next.

From The Daily Beast

The next phase of the trial consists of vaccinating Ebola workers on the front lines.

From The Daily Beast

He is expected to spend the next few days closeted with lawyers and advisers at his home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor Great Park.

From The Daily Beast

In the next breath, however, he is decrying the press misinterpretation of his Diana script.

From The Daily Beast

In particular the Governor of Adinskoy offered us a guard of fifty men to the next station, if we apprehended any danger.

From Project Gutenberg

“This is a distressing predicament for these young people,” thought Mr. Pickwick, as he dressed himself next morning.

From Project Gutenberg

The thought seemed to produce the dreaded object, for next moment a large hummock appeared right ahead.

From Project Gutenberg

Impressed by the lugubrious scene, Aguinaldo yielded, and the next day peace negotiations were opened.

From Project Gutenberg

All through the sad duties of the next four days Felipe was conscious of the undercurrent of this premonition.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• later