next

1 of 4

adjective

ˈnekst How to pronounce next (audio)
Synonyms of next
1
: immediately adjacent (as in place, rank, or time)
2
: any other considered hypothetically
knew it as well as the next man
see also:
next to nothing

next

2 of 4

preposition

: nearest or adjacent to

next

3 of 4

adverb

1
: in the time, place, or order nearest or immediately succeeding
next we drove home
the next closest school
2
: on the first occasion to come
when next we meet

next

4 of 4

noun

: one that is next
from one day to the next

Synonyms of next

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of next in a Sentence

Adjective I'll see you next Monday. Next year's party will be even better. the very next thing that happened Can I help the next person in line? Who's next? We could hear people talking in the next room. At the next set of lights, turn left. I need the next size up. The next time we will see each other will be on our wedding day. Next time, please remember to bring your books to class. She knew the answer as well as the next person. Adverb Next, I need to ask you a few questions about your family.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
America Healthy Again movement turned out for Iowa Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn on Wednesday evening in an effort to propel him to victory in the midterm election next week. — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2026 The next governor of Florida will inherit the nation’s second-largest death row population — and with it, a legacy of profound questions about the remorseless and deeply flawed system that put so many people there. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Preposition
The election results still need to be certified and submitted to the president next Wednesday. — Cara Anna, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026 Energy bill support Healey extended the VAT cut on energy bills until July 2027, which is expected to take around £50 off the annual Ofgem price cap next April. — Marc Shoffman, TheWeek, 30 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Both teams will face the Houston Rockets next, Dallas at home on Friday and Oklahoma City on the road on Saturday. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 Washington says whether that development benefits the people already here will depend in part on how much they're included in what comes next. — Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
His most recent movie role was in the Finnish horror Nightborn, which premiered in Berlin earlier this year, and his next is in Ebenezer with Johnny Depp. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 Then a decision on what to do next will be made in conjunction with the medical experts and Dart. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for next

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English nīehst, superlative of nēah nigh — more at nigh

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of next was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing next

Rhymes for next

See All Rhymes for next

Browse Nearby Words

nexal
next
next best
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Next.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

next

1 of 3 adjective
ˈnekst How to pronounce next (audio)
: coming immediately before or following
the next page
the house next to ours

next

2 of 3 preposition
(ˈ)nekst
: next to entry 1

next

3 of 3 adverb
ˈnekst
1
: in the nearest time, place, or order following
open this package next
2
: at the first time to come after this
when next we meet
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