Following vs. Next

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 EasterFollowingpreposition
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 friendFollowingnoun
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.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 pursuitNextpreposition
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 footstepsNextnoun
The one that follows after this one.
Next, please, don't hold up the queue!Followingadjective
in the desired direction;
a following windNextadjective
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 sideFollowingadjective
immediately following in time or order;
the following daynext in linethe next presidentthe next item on the listNextadjective
(of elected officers) elected but not yet serving;
our next presidentFollowingadjective
about to be mentioned or specified;
the following itemsNextadjective
immediately following in time or order;
the following daynext in linethe next presidentthe next item on the listNextadverb
at the time or occasion immediately following;
next the doctor examined his back