- 1(usually with the) coming straight after someone or something in time, order, or space The next train to Baltimore is at ten. The next six months will be the hardest. the next chapter the woman in the next room I fainted, and the next thing I knew I was in the hospital. (informal) Around here, you leave school at sixteen and next thing you know, you're married with three kids.
- 2(used without the) next Monday, week, summer, year, etc. the Monday, week, etc. immediately following Next Thursday is April 12. Next time I'll bring a book. Idioms
used to encourage someone who has not been successful at something
if a situation changes from one day to the next, it is uncertain and not likely to stay the same each day I never know what to expect from one day to the next.
the average person I can enjoy a joke as well as the next man, but this is going too far.
Check pronunciation: next