next

next [ nekst ] function word ***

Next is used in the following ways:

as a determiner (followed by a noun):

I'll see you next week.

as an adjective:

I'm leaving town on the next train.

I didn't realize what had happened until the next day.

as a pronoun:

You're the next in line.

I'll be seeing him the week after next.

as an adverb:

What happens next?

After me, he's the next tallest boy in the class.

in the preposition phrase next to:

Come sit next to me.

1. ) used for referring to the time, event, action, person, etc. that comes after this one or after another one:

He said he was leaving for Rome the next day.

Who will be the next president?

The next flight to Newark isn't until 1:30.

I'll call you the next time I'm in town.

Who's next in line?

I'll be busy this week and next.

When I next spoke with him, he told me he had gotten married.

I knew exactly what was going to happen next.

First, peel the fruit. Next, prepare a chocolate sauce.

the next few weeks/several months/five years etc.: Over the next few weeks I tried to re-organize the office.

next Tuesday/week/year etc. (=the Tuesday, week, year, etc. that comes after this one): I'll see you next Friday.

Local elections take place next May.

a ) the day/week/year etc. after next the day/week/year etc. that comes immediately after the one that follows this one:

A spokesman said a meeting had been arranged with Seagram for the weekend after next.

We're hoping to be chosen as the venue for the World Cup after next.

2. ) used for referring to the place that is closest to where you are:

I could hear the sound of laughter in the next room.

a ) used for referring to the first place that you come to when you continue moving:

This is Wilshire, the next big street is Santa Monica, and after that is Sunset.

Get out at the next station.

as...as the next person/guy/man/woman etc.

used when you are saying that you are no different from anyone else in a particular way:

I get as angry as the next person when companies send me junk e-mail every day.

a next CARIBBEAN

another

the next best/largest/smallest etc.

one that is almost as good/large/small etc. as another one that you are mentioning:

In terms of market size in skincare products, the U.S. was next largest after Japan.

the next best thing: If you can't actually go to the races, watching it live on TV is the next best thing.

the next thing I knew

used for saying that a situation happened very quickly when you did not expect it:

The next thing I knew there were police officers all over the place.

next to

1. ) beside or very near to someone or something with no other person or thing in between:

Steve lives next to a lake, so we'll be able to go swimming.

She sat down next to me without a word.

The baby sleeps in the room next to his parents.

2. ) used for showing that you are not including the person or thing that is really the best, biggest, worst, etc. when you are making a comparison:

Next to John, Jamie is my best friend.

3. ) when compared to someone or something:

Next to Tony, we're all geniuses.

4. ) used before negative words to mean almost but not completely :

You can have the whole set for next to no cost.

Even if we practice all week, it will be next to impossible to win.

next to nothing: After the company closed, investors were left with next to nothing.