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

   the next patient to be examined

   do it next week

2. immediately adjoining

   the next room

3. closest to in degree

   the next-best thing

   the tallest boy next to James

4. 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
   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

Related Words

• later