1
a
: an apartment or small room for privacy
b
: a monarch's or official's private chamber
2
: a cabinet or recess for especially china, household utensils, or clothing
3
: a place of retreat or privacy
4
5
: a state or condition of secrecy, privacy, or obscurity
came out of the closet
closeted; closeting; closets
1
: to shut up in or as if in a closet
2
: to take into a closet for a secret interview
1
: closely private
2
: working in or suited to the closet as the place of seclusion or study : theoretical
3
: being so in private
a closet racist
Synonyms
Examples of closet in a Sentence
Noun
The sheets and blankets are in the hall closet.
He has a closet full of new clothes.
Verb
He closeted himself in his apartment for several days.
he closeted himself in his study, vowing not to emerge until he had finished the term paper
Adjective
Some people think he's a closet homosexual.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
The following week, [Schumacher] came out of the closet.
—Lydia Mee, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Judy Berman, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Upgrade your wardrobe with these 35 fall fashion finds that are inspired by our favorite celebrities closets.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024
By calling Hobbes the only liberal worth reading, Gray implies that liberals are really closet totalitarians—and know it.
—Helena Rosenblatt, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for closet 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
For those looking to glamorize their coat closets, all eyes are on one gorgeous, leather trench from Rosetta Getty and a cute, faux-fur from Proenza Schouler.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
The following week, [Schumacher] came out of the closet.
—Lydia Mee, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Van’s mom drinks, Taissa’s outward calm conceals a well of subconscious rage, and the two of them are also, by all appearances, still closeted.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Upgrade your wardrobe with these 35 fall fashion finds that are inspired by our favorite celebrities closets.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
Adjective
Whether paired with heels, sneakers, or both (like Gaines), wide-leg jeans are the closet staple your wardrobe may be missing this spring.
—Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024
By calling Hobbes the only liberal worth reading, Gray implies that liberals are really closet totalitarians—and know it.
—Helena Rosenblatt, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for closet
Dictionary Entries Near closet
Cite this Entry
“Closet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closet. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
closet
1 of 2 noun
clos·et
ˈkläz-ət 
1
: a small private room
2
: a cabinet or small room for china, household utensils, or clothing
closet
2 of 2 verb1
: to shut up in or as if in a closet
2
: to take into a private room for an interview
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