Definition

Adverb 1. In, at, or to the adjacent house, building, or residence: Used to indicate a location that is immediately adjoining or neighboring the point of reference.

Usage

The adverb "next door" is used to describe a location relative to another, most commonly a home or building. It specifies immediate adjacency. * It typically follows verbs like live, be, go, come from, or move to. * It can function as an adverbial phrase of place.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • My best friend lives next door.
  • Is there a grocery store next door?
  • The noise is coming from next door.
  • They just moved in next door last week.

Advanced Usage

• "from next door": Used to indicate origin or source from the adjacent property.
  • Our new neighbors are from next door.
• Conceptual Use: Can be used informally to refer to something very close or immediately adjacent in a non-physical sense (e.g., in an office or organizational structure).
  • You can ask Sarah in the marketing department; she's just next door (i.e., in the adjacent office).

Variants and Related Words

• Next-door (Adjective): Used before a noun to describe a neighboring person or thing. CRITICAL NOTE: This is the adjectival compound form, distinct from the adverbial phrase "next door".
  • My next-door neighbor is very friendly.
  • We share a wall with the next-door apartment.

Synonyms

• Adjacent: Next to or adjoining something else.
• Neighboring: Located or living near or next to a place or person.

Related Phrases

• (The people/neighbors) next door: A common noun phrase referring to the inhabitants of the adjacent residence.
  • I need to return this tool to the people next door.
  • The neighbors next door have a lovely garden.

Adverb

1. at or in or to the adjacent residence
   • the criminal had been living next door all this time