next tonext to /ˈnekst tu/ preposition 
► next to preposition
► next to preposition close to the side of a person or thing, with no other person or thing in between - sometimes used when there are several people, rooms, buildings, etc. in a line: She asked the person standing next to her what was going on. His office is next to mine. ➔ The next room can be used to describe a room that is next to another one: I could hear people talking in the next room.
► beside preposition next to a person or thing. Beside sounds more formal than next to, and is not usually used about rooms and buildings: He sat down beside her and started talking to her.
► by preposition next to or close to something: Ask for a table by the window. We had a picnic by the lake.
► at the side of preposition next to something, especially a road or building: Richard left his motorcycle at the side of the road and started to walk. ➔ You can say that someone is at someone’s side: He spoke to reporters with his wife at his side.
► next door adverb next to another building, or living in the house next to someone: There’s a bookstore next door to the bank. Mrs. Cottrell lived next door to my parents. The house next door has been sold. ➔ The person who lives next door to someone is their next-door neighbor.
► along preposition close to the side of a river, coast, border, etc. - used about movement or position: Walk along the river as far as the bridge. They are planning to build a fence along the border.
► alongside preposition next to something: A boat came alongside the ship to take the sick passenger off. There were people running alongside the car, taking the star’s picture.
► side by side adverb if two people are walking, sitting, or lying side by side, they are next to each other: We walked along slowly, side by side.
► adjacent to AWL preposition (formal) used when saying that a building or area is next to a building or area, or that one room is next to another: The hotel is adjacent to the park. ➔ Adjacent can be used as an adjective to describe a room, building, or area that is next to another one: The fire spread to two adjacent houses.
► neighboring adjective next to another country, state, or town: People affected by the fighting have fled to neighboring countries. ➔ GRAMMAR: Neighboring is always used before a nounː a neighboring town/country.
► adjoining (formal) next to another room, building, or area: They were called into an adjoining room for their interviews. ➔ GRAMMAR: Adjoining is always used before a noun: an adjoining room/building/apartment.