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next

NEKST/nɛkst/

9 meanings of next

Practice

  1. 1
    future timedeterminer
    Coming soonest in the future, or the one after that if the soonest is very close.

    The conference is happening next month.

    She starts her new job next Tuesday.

    UsageSay next week or see you next Friday, with no the before it.

    Oppositelast

    Note
  2. 2
    upcoming onedeterminer
    Coming right after the one happening now or just mentioned.

    The doctor is ready to see the next patient now.

    We'll talk about that in the next lesson.

    UsageSay the next one or the next bus.

    Oppositelast

  3. 3
    following (order)adjective
    Coming right after another in a list or order.

    Turn to the next page.

    Who is next in line?

    Similarfollowing, subsequent, succeeding

    Oppositeprevious, preceding, prior

    Note
  4. 4
    after thatadverb
    After this, or straight after something else. Also, the next time something happens.

    Read the introduction first, then turn to the part that comes next.

    In height order, Maria stood next after Tom.

    UsageSay what comes next, or the next best thing.

    Note
  5. 5
    nearest placeadjective
    Closest in place, with nothing like it in between.

    The next room was full of boxes.

    She moved into the next apartment down the hall.

    Similaradjoining, adjacent, neighboring, nearest

    Note
  6. 6
    the one followingnoununcountable
    The person or thing that comes straight after this one.

    Finish this puzzle before starting the next.

    Once this song ends, the next is my favorite.

    UsageSay from one day to the next.

Less common meanings

  1. 7
    besideprepositionarchaic
    Right beside something, or very close to it.
    All persons, in walking the streets, whose right sides are next the wall, are intitled to take the wall.
    1822, The PamphleteerHere, next means right beside, nearest to the wall.
    Photographs indicate that the southern terminals of the ditch system next the west gate may be in echelon, whilst those marginal to the east gate may be slightly inturned.
    1986, University of Wales Board of Celtic Studies, Bwletin Y Bwrdd Gwybodau Celtaidd - Volume 33
    Note
  2. 8
    familyadjective
    Closest to someone in family relationship, like a parent or child.

    The hospital called her next of kin, her older brother.

    If you get hurt, the school will phone your next of kin.

    UsageSay next of kin for your closest family.

    Similarnearest, closest

    Note
  3. 9
    adjectiveobsolete
    Most direct or shortest in distance or time.
    The road to resolution, lies by doubt: "The next way home's the farthest way about."
    1777, Francis Quarles, Emblems Divine and Moral: Together with Hieroglyphics of the Life of ManHere, next means shortest or most direct.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Old English nīehst, meaning "nearest," the superlative form of nēah ("nigh"). It is like "nigh" plus "-est."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts