Following vs. Next

Following vs. Next — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Following and Next

Followingadjective

Coming next, either in sequence or in time.

See the following section.

Nextadjective

in place or position, having nothing similar intervening; adjoining.

Followingadjective

About to be specified.

The following words have no definition...

Nextadjective

(obsolete) Most direct, or shortest or nearest in distance or time.

Followingadjective

(of a wind) Blowing in the direction of travel.

The following wind sped us on our way.

Nextadjective

Nearest in order, succession, or rank; immediately following (or sometimes preceding) in order.

the next chapter; the next man I see; the next week; the Sunday next before Easter
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Followingpreposition

After, subsequent to.

Following the meeting, we all had a chat.

Nextadjective

(figuratively) Following in a hypothetical sequence of some kind.

The man was driven by his love for money and his desire to become the next Bill Gates.

Followingnoun

A group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage.

He had a loyal following.

Nextadjective

Nearest in relationship. next of kin.}}

next friend

Followingnoun

Vocation; business; profession.

Nextdeterminer

The one immediately following the current or most recent one

Next week would be a good time to meet.I'll know better next time.
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Followingnoun

(with definite article, treated as singular or plural) A thing or things to be mentioned immediately after.

The following is a recommendation letter from the president.The following are the three most important questions.

Nextdeterminer

Closest to seven days (one week) in the future.

The party is next Tuesday; that is, not tomorrow, but eight days from now.

Followingverb

present participle of follow

Nextadverb

In a time, place, rank or sequence closest or following.

They live in the next closest house.Next, we stripped off the old paint.Who is next after Henry gives his presentation?It's the next best thing to ice cream.

Followingnoun

a group of followers or enthusiasts

Nextadverb

On the first subsequent occasion.

Financial panic, earthquakes, oil spills, riots. What comes next?When we next meet, you'll be married.

Followingnoun

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture;

the culprit started to run and the cop took off in pursuit

Nextpreposition

On the side of; nearest or adjacent to; next to.

Followingadjective

going or proceeding or coming after in the same direction;

the crowd of following cars made the occasion seem like a paradetried to outrun the following footsteps

Nextnoun

The one that follows after this one.

Next, please, don't hold up the queue!

Followingadjective

in the desired direction;

a following wind

Nextadjective

nearest in space or position; immediately adjoining without intervening space;

had adjacent roomsin the next roomthe person sitting next to meour rooms were side by side

Followingadjective

immediately following in time or order;

the following daynext in linethe next presidentthe next item on the list

Nextadjective

(of elected officers) elected but not yet serving;

our next president

Followingadjective

about to be mentioned or specified;

the following items

Nextadjective

immediately following in time or order;

the following daynext in linethe next presidentthe next item on the list

Nextadverb

at the time or occasion immediately following;

next the doctor examined his back