next

American  

[nekst] / nɛkst /

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.

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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.

idioms

1. 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.

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. get next to (someone), to get into the favor or good graces of; become a good friend of.

next British  

/ nɛkst /

adjective

1. immediately following

   the next patient to be examined

   do it next week

2. immediately adjoining

   the next room

3. closest to in degree

   the tallest boy next to James

   the next-best thing

4. the one after the next

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adverb

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

   the patient to be examined next

   next, he started to unscrew the telephone receiver

2. 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

next More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing next

• cleanliness is next to godliness

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Etymology

Origin of next

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

Example Sentences

China has identified “embodied AI”—the fusion of artificial intelligence with physical systems—as one of six future industries expected to drive the economy over the next five years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

“After building our industry-leading position in identity resolution, commerce, and creators, our next big bet is sport,” said Arthur Sadoun, Publicis Groupe’s CEO.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

“Google’s paper has some validity, but we’ll still need all the memory these companies can produce for the next three years,” says Gil Luria, head of technology research at D.A.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

She released her first album a few months after turning 20, and spent the next four years on the road, including support slots with Harry Styles and Billie Eilish.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Hannah walked in and sat down next to me.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• afterward
• later