Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Next

Next (nekst) , adjective

[Anglo-Saxon nēhst, niéhst, nȳhst, superl. of neáh nigh. See Nigh.]

1.
Nearest in place; having no similar object intervening. — Chaucer
Her princely guest Was next her side; in order sat the rest. — Dryden
Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way. — Bunyan
2.
Nearest in time; as, the next day or hour.
3.
Adjoining in a series; immediately preceding or following in order.
None could tell whose turn should be the next. — Gay
4.
Nearest in degree, quality, rank, right, or relation; as, the next heir was an infant.
The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. — Ruth ii. 20

Next is usually followed by to before an object, but to is sometimes omitted. In such cases next in considered by many grammarians as a preposition.

Collocations (1)
Next friend (Law) , one who represents an infant, a married woman, or any person who can not appear sui juris, in a suit at law.

Next , adverb

In the time, place, or order nearest or immediately succeeding; as, this man follows next.