Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

next to

 preposition
     
next to
1 very close to someone or something, with nothing in between [= beside]:
There was a little girl sitting next to him.
2

next to nothing

very little:
He knows next to nothing about antiques.
3 used to give a list of things you like, hate etc in order to say what is first on the list:
Next to soccer, I like playing tennis best.
4 in comparison with someone or something:
Next to her, I'm a very poor cook.
5

the next to last

the one before the last one:
We'll need to buy some more wine. This is the next to last bottle.
6

next to impossible/useless etc

almost impossible, useless etc:
This crossword puzzle is next to impossible.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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