Next
/nɛkst/noun
Coming immediately after the present one in order, rank, or time.
Did you know?Its oldest ancestor is linked to the idea of being the nearest or closest, which is why English still treats “next” as the word for what’s right beside the present moment.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*neigʷʰ-
“to draw near, approach”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*nēhsta-
“nearest, closest”
Old English
English
nēhst / nēxt
“nearest, next after”
Middle English
English
next
“nearest in place or time; following”
Modern English
English
next
“coming immediately after the present one in order or time”