Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - newtonian

next ~1 determiner 1 the next house, room etc is the one that is closest to you  (I asked the woman at the next table what time it was. | They could be heard arguing from the next room.) 2 the next event, day, time etc is the one that happens after the present one  (the next train/meeting/class etc)  (The next episode was watched by over 10 million anxious viewers. | If they win the next election they have promised to reform the health service. | I've just missed the flight to Chicago, what time's the next one? | the next few weeks/three years etc)  (Over the next couple of months, try to relax more and take more exercise. | next Monday/July/year etc)  (We're hoping to reopen the factory some time next year. | (the) next day)  (She called me and we arranged to meet the next day. | (the) next time)  (Next time I take a cab, I'll be more careful.)  (- compare last1 (1)) 3 the next person or thing in a list, a series, a line of people etc is the one that you come to after the one that you are dealing with at the present time  (The letter continues on the next page. | The next interviewee has a degree in geography and plenty of work experience. | The cottage is just around the next bend in the road.) 4 a) the next biggest/smallest etc the one that is a bit bigger, smaller etc than the one you are talking about  (The hotel was full and the next nearest was over 20 miles away.) b) the next best thing the thing that is almost as good as something else  (If butter is too expensive use the next best thing - margarine.)  (- see also next of kin kin (2)) ~2 adv 1 immediately afterwards  (Being a doctor is a great life, you never know what will happen next. | The mixture is heated to a temperature of 40°C. Next, it is poured into a mould and left to cool. | Where do you think you'll travel next?) 2 next to a) situated very close to someone or something with nothing in between  (There was a little girl sitting next to him. | The church is on the left, next to the school.) b) used when giving a list of things you like or prefer etc in order to say what is first in the list  (Next to soccer, squash is the sport I'm best at.) 3 next to nothing very little  (He knows next to nothing about antiques.) 4 the next time  (When I next saw her she completely ignored me.) ~3 pronoun 1 the person or thing in a list, a series, a line of people etc that you come to after the one that you are dealing with at the present time  (Un, deux, trois...what comes next? | You're next Mrs Williams. The doctor will be ready in a moment.) 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  (We'll need to buy some more ink. I'm on the next to last bottle at the moment.) 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 to become king, a leader etc