next
2 antonyms and opposites of next, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Coming immediately after the current one, in place, time, or order.
Antonyms
How to use next
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English nīehsta, the superlative of nēah ("nigh, near") — so "next" originally meant literally "nearest."
Full origin of next →Frequently asked questions
What does “next” mean?
The word “next” means coming immediately after the current one, in place, time, or order. In plain terms, whatever comes immediately after the current one, whether in time, order, or position.
How do you pronounce “next”?
“Next” is pronounced nehkst (/nɛkst/ in IPA).
How do you use “next” in a sentence?
Here is “next” used in a sentence: “Turn left at the next intersection.”
What is another word for “next”?
Words with a similar meaning to “next” include subsequent.
What is the opposite of “next”?
The opposite of “next” — its antonyms — are previous and previously.
What part of speech is “next”?
Depending on how it is used, “next” can be an adjective, a det, an adverb and a preposition.
Where does the word “next” come from?
The word “next” comes from Old English. From Old English nīehsta, the superlative of nēah ("nigh, near") — so "next" originally meant literally "nearest.".
Is “next” a common word?
“Next” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
Does 'next Friday' mean this week or the following week?
This is genuinely ambiguous and a common source of confusion. Some people use "next Friday" for the very next one coming up; others mean the Friday of the following week, saving "this Friday" for the nearer one. Because usage varies, it is safest to confirm with a date to avoid mix-ups.
What is the opposite of 'next'?
The opposite depends on direction. In time or sequence, the opposite of "next" is "previous," "last," or "preceding," the one that came before rather than after. When "next" means nearest in position, its opposite is "farthest" or "most distant." Most often, though, people contrast "next" with "previous."
What is the difference between 'next' and 'following'?
"Next" points to the one immediately after now; next week is the week just ahead. "Following" points to the one after a reference date you have already mentioned, so "the following week" means the week after that earlier date, not after today. "Following" needs a previous point to count from.