next to

1 of 2

preposition

1
: immediately following or adjacent to
2
: in comparison to
next to you I'm wealthy

next to

2 of 2

adverb

: very nearly : almost
it was next to impossible to see in the fog

Examples of next to in a Sentence

Preposition enjoys living next to the ocean next to the war, the flagging economy was the biggest campaign issue Adverb bought it for next to nothing
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Preposition
Just beyond the glass door next to them was the courtyard and pool. Sean Clancy, arkansasonline.com, 25 Oct. 2024 Liz had actually stayed at the hotel in 2014 on a girls' trip, coincidentally in the room right next to 928. Julie Jordan, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Adverb
The left winglet of a Boeing 757 clipped the horizontal stabilizer of an empty Delta Air Lines Bombardier CRJ-900 that was parked next to it, the FAA said. Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Mar. 2023 Mulaney crouches next to his son, who is wearing a red and gray striped onesie. Georgia Slater, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for next to 

Word History

First Known Use

Preposition

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of next to was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near next to

Cite this Entry

“Next to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next%20to. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

next to

1 of 2 preposition
: immediately following : being close to
next to the head of her class

next to

2 of 2 adverb
: very nearly : almost

More from Merriam-Webster on next to

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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