Meaning & use
next gen or next-gen
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nouninformal
Belonging to the newest generation of something, especially technology or products.
Grammar: Usually written with a hyphen before a noun, as in 'next-gen console'. The unhyphenated form 'next gen' is also common, especially in informal writing.
Patterns
- next-gen something
The company is developing next-gen batteries that charge in minutes.
Gamers are excited about the next-gen consoles arriving this holiday.
She works on next-gen AI models for medical research.
noununcountableinformal
The generation that will come after the current one; the people or products of the future.
Grammar: Often used with 'the', as in 'the next gen'. Not used with a plural form.
Patterns
- the next gen
The next gen will grow up with technology we can only imagine.
Investors are betting on the next gen of renewable energy.
This phone is aimed at the next gen of users.
Common combinations
- next-gen console
- The new next-gen console sold out within hours.
- next-gen technology
- Next-gen technology often costs more at first.
- next-gen network
- The company is rolling out a next-gen network for faster speeds.
- next-gen gaming
- Next-gen gaming requires a powerful computer.
- next-gen sequencing
- Next-gen sequencing has made DNA analysis much faster.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cutting-edge
- Emphasizes being the most advanced, but does not necessarily mean a new generation.
- state-of-the-art
- Means the most modern and best available now, not specifically the next generation.
- futuristic
- Suggests something looks or seems like it belongs to the future, not just the next version.
Opposites
Word family
- next-generation adjective
- The full form of 'next-gen', used especially in formal or technical writing.
- generation noun
- A group of people born around the same time, or a stage in the development of a product.
Commonly confused: next gen or next-gen or next?
next gen or next-gen vs next
Simply means the following one in order. 'Next gen' is a specific compound meaning a whole new generation of technology.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'next-gen' correctly?
Choose one answer.
In option B, 'next-gen' is an adjective before the noun 'smartphone', which is the standard use. Option A uses it as a time expression, which is incorrect. Option C uses it as a noun meaning a person arriving next, which is not its meaning. Option D uses it as a verb, which does not exist.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “next gen or next-gen”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.