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
William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Photo : Tiffany Angeles/Unlimited Style Photography A spacious walk-in closet doubles as a safe room.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2025
Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
For the majority of his career, Richard Chamberlain was closeted.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Mar. 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
Taylor is assuredly not running any closet index fund.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Photo : Tiffany Angeles/Unlimited Style Photography A spacious walk-in closet doubles as a safe room.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
European Union trade ministers were closeted Monday in Luxembourg to weigh possible steps that could include taxes on U.S. tech companies like Google, Apple and Amazon.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
For the majority of his career, Richard Chamberlain was closeted.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Mar. 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 7 May. 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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