# next

/ˈnɛks/ (US) · /nˈɛkst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/next
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. following in order

adjective · CEFR A1

the one that comes immediately after this one in a list or sequence.

For teachers: immediately following in a sequence, rank, or order.

- The next person in line can come to the desk now.
- The next candidate for the position demonstrated a much more sophisticated understanding of the regional market than the previous three.

### 2. future time

determiner · CEFR A1

used to talk about the first time or event that happens after now.

For teachers: denoting the first occurrence of a time period or event following the present moment.

- We are planning to go on holiday next month.
- Next year's fiscal projections suggest a significant increase in overhead costs due to the rising price of raw materials.

### 3. nearest in space

adjective · CEFR A2

the one that is closest to you or right beside something else.

For teachers: nearest in place or position; physically adjoining or adjacent.

- The next house on the street has a beautiful garden.
- The next available parking space was nearly half a mile away from the stadium entrance.

### 4. afterwards

adverb · CEFR A2

happening immediately after the current action or event.

For teachers: at a time or in a sequence immediately following the current one.

- What should we do next after we finish our lunch?
- The report details what happened first during the crisis and what the emergency services did next to contain the situation.

### 5. the following thing

noun · CEFR B1

the person or thing that is coming after the current one.

For teachers: the person or thing that follows immediately after the present one.

- I have finished this book, so I need to find the next in the series.
- While the current model is popular, the industry is already looking toward the next to see if it can maintain the same level of innovation.

### 6. closest relative

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

your closest living relative, like a parent, child, or spouse.

For teachers: nearest in relationship or kinship; most commonly used in the legal phrase 'next of kin'.

- The hospital asked for the name of her next of kin.
- In the absence of a written will, the estate is typically distributed to the deceased's next of kin according to local inheritance laws.

## Examples

- The next bus arrives in ten minutes.
- Please wait in the lobby until the next available representative is ready to see you.
- The witness testified that the next person to enter the room was wearing a dark coat and carrying a heavy briefcase.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.