next

UK: /ˈnɛkst/ US: /nɛkst/ ,(nekst)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

next /nɛkst/   adj. 

1. immediately following in time, order, importance, etc.:
   the next day; the next flight for the Bahamas.
2. nearest or closest in place or position:
   [before a noun* usually: the + ~] She lived in the next house over.

adv. 

3. in the place, time, order, etc., nearest or immediately following:
   We're going to London next.
4. on the first occasion to follow:
   When next we meet.
5. having more (of some quality) than all others except one:
   [before an adjective] If we can't go swimming, the next best thing would be to walk on the beach.

Idioms

6. Idioms next door to:
   • close to or near to another;
     adjacent to:
     She lived next door to us for five years.
7. Idioms next to:
   • Idioms near or close to:
     Sit next to me.
   • Idioms almost;
     nearly:
     Climbing that mountain was next to impossible.
   • Idioms aside from:
     Next to me, you're the best.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

next  (nekst), adj. 

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.
4. next door to:
   • Idioms in an adjacent house, apartment, office, etc.;
     neighboring.
   • Idioms in a position of proximity;
     near to:
     They are next door to poverty.
5. next to:
   • Idioms adjacent to:
     He sat next to his sister.
   • Idioms almost;
     nearly:
     next to impossible.
   • Idioms aside from:
     Next to cake, ice cream is my favorite dessert.

adv. 

6. in the place, time, importance, etc., nearest or immediately following:
   We're going to London next. This is my next oldest daughter.
7. on the first occasion to follow:
   when next we meet.
8. Idioms get next to (someone), [Informal.] to get into the favor or good graces of;
   become a good friend of.

prep. 

9. adjacent to;
   nearest:
   It's in the closet next the blackboard.

• bef. 900; Middle English next(e), Old English nēxt, nēhst, niehst, superlative of nēah nigh (see -est¹); cognate with Icelandic nǣstr, German nächst; compare near

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

next / 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 next but one ⇒ the one after the next

adverb

1. at a time or on an occasion immediately to follow: the patient to be examined next, next, he poured the mixture through a sieve
2. next to ⇒ adjacent to; at or on one side of: the house next to ours
3. following in degree: next to your mother, who do you love most?
4. almost: next to impossible

preposition

1. next to

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