“Next time” is the correct spelling. “Nextime” is not a word — it’s a common typo that comes from people running the two words together when they type or text quickly. If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering which one to use, the answer is simple: always write it as two separate words.
The Short Answer
English has plenty of compound words that started as two words and eventually merged (think “today” or “tomorrow”), so it’s easy to assume “next time” might be heading the same direction. It isn’t. Every major dictionary and style guide treats “next time” as a two-word phrase, and “nextime” simply doesn’t appear as a valid entry anywhere. If spell check underlines it in red, that’s your answer.
Why People Get It Wrong
The mix-up happens for a few predictable reasons:
- Speed typing. When you’re texting or dashing off an email, your fingers sometimes skip the space bar between short, frequently paired words.
- Analogy with real compounds. Words like “sometime,” “anytime,” and “nighttime” are legitimately one word, so the brain assumes “next” plus “time” should follow the same pattern.
- Autocomplete habits. Predictive text on phones can suggest odd combinations, and once you’ve seen “nextime” once, it starts to look almost normal.
Here’s the distinction worth remembering: “anytime” and “sometime” are adverbs describing an unspecified moment, and they’ve been fused into single words through long, established usage. “Next time” is different — “next” is an adjective modifying the noun “time,” much like “last time” or “first time.” You wouldn’t write “lasttime” or “firsttime,” and the same logic applies here.
Examples in a Sentence
- Correct: “Next time you visit, bring your umbrella.”
- Incorrect: “Nextime you visit, bring your umbrella.”
- Correct: “I’ll call ahead next time so we don’t miss each other.”
- Correct: “There’s always a next time.”
Notice that “next time” works whether it opens a sentence, sits in the middle, or stands alone as a noun phrase. It never collapses into one word, no matter its position.
Quick Comparison
| Form | Correct? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| next time | Yes | Standard, dictionary-confirmed spelling |
| nextime | No | Common typo; not a recognized word |
| next-time | No | Hyphen isn’t standard usage either |
A Simple Way to Remember It
Test it against similar phrases you already know are two words: “last time,” “first time,” “one time.” “Next time” belongs in that same family. If you can swap “next” for “last” or “first” and the sentence still makes sense as two words, keep “next time” as two words too.
Key Takeaways
- “Next time” is always two words — there’s no accepted single-word spelling.
- “Nextime” is a typo, not an alternate form, and won’t appear in any dictionary.
- Don’t confuse it with true compounds like “anytime” or “sometime,” which are one word by convention.
- A hyphenated “next-time” isn’t standard either — stick with the plain two-word version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “nextime” ever acceptable in casual writing?
No. Even in texting or social media, “nextime” reads as a typo rather than an intentional stylistic choice, unlike genuinely accepted informal spellings such as “gonna.”
Why is “anytime” one word but “next time” is two?
“Anytime” became an accepted single word over decades of common usage as an adverb. “Next time” never went through that same shift because “next” functions as an adjective describing “time,” similar to “last time” or “this time.”
Can “next time” start a sentence?
Yes. “Next time, let’s leave earlier” is perfectly correct and common in both spoken and written English.
Is “next-time” with a hyphen correct before a noun?
No. Even when used descriptively, “next time” stays unhyphenated — for example, “next time offer” rather than “next-time offer.”
Does British English spell it differently from American English?
No. “Next time” is spelled the same way in both British and American English, with no regional variation.
Getting small spelling details right builds trust with your reader, whether you’re writing a quick text or a professional email. If phrases like this trip you up, browse more spelling and usage guides on Meaningiffied.com to keep sharpening your everyday writing.
