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
Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
There’s also a closet area approximately the size of my first apartment — and out on the back terrace is the main event: A woodburning hot tub with a view of the verdant hillside that will leave you breathless.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 4 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
Disney Minnie Mouse Disney Candy Cane Ears Headband No Disney fan’s closet is complete without Mickey or Minnie ears, and this holiday-ready pair comes in five seasonal styles.
—Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
There’s also a closet area approximately the size of my first apartment — and out on the back terrace is the main event: A woodburning hot tub with a view of the verdant hillside that will leave you breathless.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 4 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 23 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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