adj.
- coming immediately after the time of writing or speaking.
▸(of a day of the week) nearest (or the nearest but one) after the present.
▸(of an event) occurring directly after the present one in time.
- coming immediately after the present one in space, order, or rank.
adv.
immediately afterwards.
▸following in the specified order.
n.
the next person or thing.
prep.
archaic next to.
Phrase
- next to
- beside.
- following in order or importance.
- almost.
- in comparison with.
- the next world
(according to some religious beliefs) the place where one goes after death.
Etymology
OE nēhsta ‘nearest’, superlative of nēah ‘nigh’.