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
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
There was Patrick, 35, a gay man raised in Staten Island who had recently rediscovered old home videos of him performing in drag as a young boy before years in the closet robbed him of this confidence.
—David MacK, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
Duane Michals Eric Jason Martin Krish Seenivasan Zak Mouton, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Many people get off on the transgressive, and there’s an argument to be made that today, being gay isn’t, but being closeted is.
—Duane Michals Eric Jason Martin Krish Seenivasan Zak Mouton, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Laura Jackson, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for closet
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Noun
Check for signs of eggs and larvae in your carpet, upholstery, and closets.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
There was Patrick, 35, a gay man raised in Staten Island who had recently rediscovered old home videos of him performing in drag as a young boy before years in the closet robbed him of this confidence.
—David MacK, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
Verb
Remaining closeted meant refusing that stake and, in the most pathetic cases, vilifying people who were just like you.
—Duane Michals Eric Jason Martin Krish Seenivasan Zak Mouton, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Many people get off on the transgressive, and there’s an argument to be made that today, being gay isn’t, but being closeted is.
—Duane Michals Eric Jason Martin Krish Seenivasan Zak Mouton, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Adjective
Cool Knits No matter the season, a lightweight yet luxurious knit is a forever closet classic—and this spring the offerings are as cool as ever.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for closet
Cite this Entry
“Closet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closet. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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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