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
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
Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
In the bathroom were Acqua di Parma toiletries and a shower tiled with black stone; the closet had flip-flops and a tote for pool days; and the balcony had a small table and two chairs.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2026
Tonatiuh’s Molina can be frivolous one moment, maternal the next, appearing clean-cut, closeted and Cary Grant-like in the fantasy numbers.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 2 Jan. 2026
Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
There are plenty of shoes, accessories, clothes, and even non-closet things that can be taken out.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for closet
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Noun
When your closet is built around adaptable pieces like black turtleneck sweaters, midi skirts, and tall boots, getting dressed becomes an effortless process, and that’s a win worth repeating all winter long.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
In the bathroom were Acqua di Parma toiletries and a shower tiled with black stone; the closet had flip-flops and a tote for pool days; and the balcony had a small table and two chairs.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
Taking constant inventory of my spaces, room by room, closet by closet, and even drawer by drawer, can help make quick work of cleaning out.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2026
Tonatiuh’s Molina can be frivolous one moment, maternal the next, appearing clean-cut, closeted and Cary Grant-like in the fantasy numbers.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Plus, keep reading for more closet staples available at Quince.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
There are plenty of shoes, accessories, clothes, and even non-closet things that can be taken out.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for closet
Cite this Entry
“Closet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closet. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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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