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
On the next pitch, however, Soto laced an RBI single to right field to give the Mets a 2-1 lead. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026 China could reduce its advanced-chip supply deficit over the next decade as domestic production expands, but lithography is a major obstacle to semiconductor self-sufficiency, according to a Goldman Sachs analysis reported by a Chinese media outlet. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Preposition
Analysts also doubt the chairman will hint at the Fed’s decision next month. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Yesterday, Screen Scotland officially announced plans for a new event next August, spearheaded by Rowan Woods, formerly of the Edinburgh TV Festival parish. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Momentum feels better when nobody has to guess what happens next. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026 The primary core signal released is that Fed officials remain clearly divided over which direction interest rates should head next. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
In the next, Frank posed for a photo in front of Frozen animation drawings of Anna and Idina Menzel’s Elsa. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 Where the Stars sit with Jason Robertson This summer and next are the most important of Robertson’s career. — Mac Engel july 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 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 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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