next to someone or something► next to · Roy had the seat next to the window.· I parked my car next to yours.· "Have you and Chris met?" "Yes, we were sitting next to each other at dinner."· "Where's the French dictionary?" "On the bottom shelf, next to the encyclopaedia."right next to (=next to and very close to) · I couldn't believe it. There was Tom Cruise, right next to me!· The hotel was right next to the airport.
► by next to or very close to something: · I saw him standing by the window.· Weymouth is a pretty little town by the sea.by the side of something (=next to a river, road, path etc): · Several soldiers were sitting on the grass by the side of the road.wait by the phone: · Relatives are anxiously waiting by the phone for more news about the plane crash.
► beside next to or very close to someone or something: · Ella came and sat down beside me.· On the table beside the bed were several medicine bottles.· They were sitting beside the pool, eating breakfast.
► next door next to another building, room etc or living in the next house: · "Is this Maria's office?" "No, hers is next door."· Have you met the people who've just moved in next door?next door to: · Why don't we meet at that little French bistro next door to the theater?live next door to somebody: · "How do you know Marsha?" "I used to live next door to her."
► by/at somebody's side standing, sitting, or placed next to someone, especially when they are doing something: · I like to have a Thesaurus at my side whenever I do any writing.· Dirk went and stood by her side, his arm around her slender waist.
► at the side of something/on the side of something next to a road or path: · Richard left his motorcycle on the side of the road and started to walk.· Tests in April showed that police cars parked at the side of motorways reduce speeds by ten miles per hour on average.
► along in a line close to the side of a river, coast, border etc: · We followed the path along the shore for several miles.· Walk along the canal as far as the bridge.· The Rif Mountains were visible as we sailed along the African coast.all along (=from one end to another): · Troops were stationed all along the border.
► side by side if two people are walking, sitting or lying side by side , they are next to each other: · We walked along slowly, side by side.· Sabina and Mel sat side by side in the back seat.
► alongside next to or along the side of something: · The two boats were moored alongside each other in the harbor.· I decided to take the path alongside the railway track.· The driver was just getting out of his car when a police car pulled up alongside.
► two/three/four etc abreast if people walk two/three/four etc abreast , that number of them walk at the same speed next to each other: · The sidewalk was wide enough for us to walk three abreast.
1in the house, room etc next to yours or someone else’s: 
the boy next door