I. next 1 S1 W1 /nekst/ BrE AmE determiner , adjective
1 . the next event, day, time etc is the one that happens after the present one, or the previous one:
I just missed my flight to Chicago. When’s the next one?
We’ll look at the proposals at the next meeting.
Over the next couple of months, try to relax more and get more exercise.
next week/year/Monday etc
We’re hoping to open the factory some time next year.
the next day/week etc (=on or during the following day, week etc)
She called me and we arranged to meet the next day.
(the) next time
Next time I go skiing, I’ll wear warmer clothes.
2 . the next house, room, place etc is the one that is nearest to where you are now:
Turn left at the next corner.
We could hear them arguing in the next room.
⇨ ↑ next to
3 . the next person or thing in a list, series etc comes after the one that you are dealing with now:
Read the next two chapters before Friday.
Do they have the next size up (=a slightly bigger size) ?
4 . next biggest/most common etc almost as big, more common etc than the one you are talking about:
Cancer-related diseases are the next biggest killers.
5 . the next best thing the thing or situation that is almost as good as the one you really want:
If I can’t be home for Christmas, phoning you on the day is the next best thing.
6 . the next thing I/she etc knew informal used when something surprising happens very suddenly:
The next thing I knew, I was lying face down on the pavement.
7 . as the next man/person as any other man or person:
I am as keen to do well as the next man.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ next happening or coming immediately after another one:
When does the next train to London leave?
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I’ll see you next Saturday.
▪ following happening or coming immediately after something – used about periods of time, or parts of a piece of writing:
We met the following day.
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The following weeks passed quickly.
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the following pages of the book
▪ subsequent formal happening or coming at some time after something else:
the subsequent success of the film
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This will be explained in more detail in subsequent chapters.
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This figure is expected to rise steeply in subsequent years.
▪ succeeding coming after someone or something else – used about a series of groups of people, periods of time, or parts of a book:
succeeding generations
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Succeeding governments have made the same mistake.
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During the succeeding weeks he wrote several more letters.
▪ coming happening soon:
The information will be mailed to members during the coming weeks.
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The villagers are storing up wood for the coming winter.
II. next 2 S1 W1 BrE AmE adverb
1 . immediately afterwards:
With John here, you never know what will happen next.
Next, put it in the oven for 20 minutes.
2 . the next time:
When I next saw her she completely ignored me.
III. next 3 BrE AmE pronoun
1 . the person or thing in a list, series etc that comes after the person or thing you are dealing with now:
What’s next on the shopping list?
the next to do something
Who will be the next to go?
2 . the day/week etc after next the day, week etc that follows the next one:
Have you remembered it’s Susie’s birthday the week after next?
3 . the next to last the one before the last one:
the next to last day of their visit
4 . next (please) used to tell someone that it is now their turn to speak or their turn to do something
5 . be next in line to be the next person, especially to have a job or position