closet

1 of 3

noun

clos·​et ˈklä-zət 

ˈklȯ-

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

: water closet

5

: a state or condition of secrecy, privacy, or obscurity

came out of the closet

closetful

ˈklä-zət-ˌfu̇l 

ˈklȯ-

noun

closet

2 of 3

verb

closeted; closeting; closets

transitive verb

1

: to shut up in or as if in a closet

2

: to take into a closet for a secret interview

closet

3 of 3

adjective

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

Noun

• cuddy
• cupboard
• pantry
• press

Verb

• box (in)
• cage
• coop (up)
• corral
• encage
• encase
• enclose
• inclose
• envelop
• fence (in)
• hedge
• hem (in)
• house
• immure
• include
• mew (up)
• pen
• wall (in)

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

Noun

After all, leggings are a wardrobe essential, so why not add some more versatile options to your closet? —Alyssa Rotunno, Glamour, 23 Apr. 2024

The morning bar is another highlight, as are the custom walk-in closets, the en-suite bathroom with radiant heated floors, and the centerpiece of the space, a walk-around steam shower lined with Neolith Himalya Crystal stone slabs. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French closett, diminutive of clos enclosure — more at close

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing closet

• china closet
• closet drama
• closet queen
• glass closet
• skeletons in the/someone's closet
• walk-in closet
• water closet

Kids 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 verb

1

: to shut up in or as if in a closet

2

: to take into a private room for an interview