■ adjective
1》 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.
2》 coming immediately after the present one in space, order, or rank.
■ adverb immediately afterwards.
↘following in the specified order.
■ noun the ~ person or thing.
■ preposition archaic ~ to.
Phrases
~ to
1》 beside.
2》 following in order or importance.
3》 almost.
4》 in comparison with.
the ~ world (according to some religious beliefs) the place where one goes after death.
Origin
OE nēhsta 'nearest', superlative of nēah 'nigh'.