next · adjective /nekst/Full view
next week/year/Monday, etc.
A1 the week/year/Monday, etc. that follows the present one
Dictionary examples:

I'll call you next week.

I'm planning to visit California next year.

Are you doing anything next Wednesday?

Learner example:

See you next week. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

next (AFTER)
A2 The next time, event, person, or thing is the one nearest to now or the one that follows the present one.
Dictionary examples:

What time's the next train?

We're going to be very busy for the next few months.

Learner example:

The class is next Monday, the 13th of May. (Key English Test; A2; Basque)

next (NEAR)
A2 The next place is the one nearest to the present one.
Dictionary examples:

She only lives in the next village.

Turn left at the next corner.

Learner example:

At the next stop, I left the train. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Swiss German)

the next thing I knew
C2 used to talk about part of a story that happens in a sudden and surprising way
Dictionary example:

A bike came speeding around the corner, and the next thing I knew I was lying on the ground.

Learner example:

And the next thing I knew was that I was playing cards with 3 men. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

the next best thing
C1 the thing that is best, if you cannot have or do the thing you really want
Dictionary example:

Coaching baseball is the next best thing to playing.

Learner example:

For many working people, there is hardly time to cook and prepare your dinner, so the next best thing is to rush into a M[cD]onalds' or Burger King. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Yapese)

next · adverb /nekst/
next
A2 immediately after
Dictionary examples:

You'll never guess what happened next.

Where should we go next?

First, fry the garlic. Next, add the ginger.

Learner example:

Next, turn left and you will be in front of my house. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Hungarian)

next · pronoun /nekst/
next
B2 the person or thing that follows the present person or thing
Dictionary examples:

Who's next to see the nurse?

Blue roses? What's next?

Learner example:

[T]he 20th century was the computer century, what will be next? (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

the weekend/week/Thursday, etc. after next
B2 the weekend/week/Thursday, etc. that follows the next one
Dictionary example:

We're seeing Paul the Saturday after next.

Learner example:

If you don't mind, the weekend after next is very convenient for me. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

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