0 the thing that is best, if you cannot have or do the thing you really want: --
These sandals are the next best thing to walking around barefoot.
I really wanted to work in television but I ended up in radio, which is the next best thing.
1 something that is almost as good: --
If I can’t have cake, ice cream is the next best thing.
NYA ORD
European
May 10, 2021
DAGENS ORD
Shimmer
the next best thing