Next — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective preposition adverb noun /ˈnekst/

Meaning & Definition of Next

Next (adjective)

  1. immediately adjacent (as in place, rank, or time)
  2. any other considered hypothetically

Next (preposition)

  1. nearest or adjacent to

Next (adverb)

  1. in the time, place, or order nearest or immediately succeeding
  2. on the first occasion to come

Next (noun)

  1. one that is next

Next (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being the one that comes immediately after another

    "my house is the next one"

    "turn at the next street, not this one"

    "she was next in line for concert tickets"

    similar: coming, ensuing, following, succeeding, on deck
    related: consecutive, sequential, successive, posterior, subsequent, immediate, second
    opposite: antecedent, foregoing, precedent, preceding, previous, prior
    near: anterior, former, past, last

Next (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in then, later

    similar: by and by, hereafter, presently, since, soon, then, thereupon, after, afterward, later, latterly, subsequently, thereafter, hereinbelow, infra
    opposite: afore (chiefly dialect), ahead, antecedently, anteriorly, before, beforehand, earlier, previously, formerly, heretofore, theretofore

Next (preposition) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in alongside, next to

    similar: alongside, next to, against, on, upon, upside

Related Entry: Next-door (adjective)

Next-door is a different word from Next. The synonyms below are for next-door, not for next.

  1. not being distant in time, space, or significance

    "a next-door neighbor who is always helpful and friendly"

    similar: close, close-up, immediate, near, nearby, neighboring, nigh, proximate, at hand, to hand
    related: abutting, adjacent, adjoining, bordering, contiguous, approaching, coming, forthcoming, oncoming, upcoming, accessible, convenient, handy, close-in, hand-to-hand
    opposite: away, deep, distant, far, faraway, far-off, remote
    near: divorced, removed, separated

Related Entry: Next to (adverb)

Next to is a different word from Next. The synonyms below are for next to, not for next.

  1. very close to but not completely

    "bought it for next to nothing"

    similar: about, all but, almost, borderline, fair (chiefly British), fairly, feckly (chiefly Scottish), more or less, most, much, near, nearly, nigh, practically, somewhere, virtually, well-nigh, as good as, just about, pretty much, within an inch of
    related: appreciably, by and large, chiefly, largely, mainly, mostly, kind of, partially, partly, somewhat
    near: absolutely, altogether, completely, entirely, fully, plain, plumb (chiefly dialect), quite, thoroughly, totally, utterly, well, wholly, barely, hardly, scarcely

Related Entry: Next to (preposition)

Next to is a different word from Next. The synonyms below are for next to, not for next.

  1. close to

    "enjoys living next to the ocean"

    similar: about, around, by, near, nigh, next door to
    related: alongside, beside, across, along, at, circa, toward

  2. subsequent to in time or order

    "next to the war, the flagging economy was the biggest campaign issue"

    similar: after, après, behind, below, following, past
    related: since
    opposite: afore (chiefly dialect), ahead of, before, ere, of, previous to, prior to, to
    near: toward

Related Entry: Next door to (phrase)

Next door to is a different word from Next. The synonyms below are for next door to, not for next.

  1. close to

    "Though Brazil is next door to several other South American nations, its culture and language differ in many ways."

    similar: about, around, by, near, next to, nigh
    related: alongside, beside, across, along, at, circa, toward

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Next

The most common words with a similar meaning to Next:

coming, ensuing, following, succeeding, on deck, by and by, hereafter, presently, since, soon, then, thereupon, after, afterward, later, latterly, subsequently, thereafter, hereinbelow, infra, alongside, next to, against, on, upon, upside

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Next

Words with the opposite meaning of Next:

antecedent, foregoing, precedent, preceding, previous, prior, afore, ahead, antecedently, anteriorly, before, beforehand, earlier, previously, formerly, heretofore, theretofore

Related Words for Next

consecutive, sequential, successive, posterior, subsequent, immediate, second

Near Antonyms of Next

anterior, former, past, last

Origin & Etymology of Next

Middle English, from Old English nīehst, superlative of nēah nigh nigh

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Next

Words & Phrases Containing Next

next-door, next door to, next door, next friend, next-gen, next-generation

Frequently Asked Questions about Next

What does "Next" mean?

"Next" means immediately adjacent (as in place, rank, or time). As an an adjective, a preposition, an adverb and a noun, it is defined as: immediately adjacent (as in place, rank, or time). It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Next"?

Other words for "Next" include coming, ensuing, following, succeeding, on deck, by and by, hereafter and presently. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Next" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Next"?

There are 33 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Next". Common alternatives include coming, ensuing, following, succeeding, on deck, by and by, hereafter, presently, since and soon.

What is the opposite of "Next"?

Antonyms of "Next" include antecedent, foregoing, precedent, preceding, previous, prior, afore and ahead. Near antonyms include anterior, former, past and last.

How do you use "Next" in a sentence?

Examples of "Next" in a sentence: "my house is the next one"; "turn at the next street, not this one"; "she was next in line for concert tickets".

Is "Next" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Next" can be used as an adjective, a preposition, an adverb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Next" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Next" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Next"?

"Next" is pronounced /ˈnekst/.