next

1 of 4

adjective

ˈnekst How to pronounce next (audio)
Synonyms of nextnext
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
His body was found the next day behind a gas station, the county coroner said in a statement. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 July 2026 The next day, with her elbow strapped, Bella’s back on a bull – then quickly back in hospital. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Preposition
Charania’s report stated that James would not be retiring and would be looking to play for a new team next season. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 All four players have a knack for scoring no matter the situation and will surely be a problem for defenses next season. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Adverb
The Pegasus pop band was next up for their final run-through before the crowd began to descend. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026 World models are what separate systems that react from systems that reason about what happens next. — Ashutosh Saxena, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Noun
The next is to figure out what to do about it. — George Packer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026 In the next, he is pursued by a demon crone known in local legend as the Sea Hag. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 18 June 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 7 Jul. 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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