closet

noun clos·et \ ˈklä-zət , ˈklȯ- \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Examples: closet in a Sentence

Definition of closet

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

play \-ˌfu̇l\ noun

See closet defined for English-language learners

See closet defined for kids

Examples of closet in a Sentence

The sheets and blankets are in the hall closet.
He has a closet full of new clothes.

Recent Examples of closet from the Web

Not for their wisdom, or their financial support, or their jokes, but for something else: their closets.

— the editors of gq, GQ, "GQ Editors on the Piece of Clothing They Stole from Dad," 15 June 2018
But those relics that hold the memories of her previous life still remain in her closet.

— refinery29.com, "Carole Radziwill Doesn't Care If She's Your Favorite Real Housewife," 11 June 2018
Lil Yachty gives fans a sneak peek into his lavish closet while Marlon Wayans stars in a new rendition of Delete Your History.

— michael saponara, Billboard, "ASAP Rocky Reflects on Crafting 'TESTING' Without ASAP Yams in New 'Complex x Fuse' Episode: Exclusive," 8 June 2018
The originals live all over the world in museums and galleries, but unique renditions could be hanging in your closet for under $200.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "Calvin Klein Is Putting Andy Warhol’s Face on Jeans," 7 June 2018
Think: tutus, tube tops and Manolo Blahniks galore that magically sprang from her closet every episode.

— tara paniogue, latimes.com, "'Sex and the City': The top 10 looks from the fashion-forward series," 5 June 2018
Columbus police quickly identified Davis, who had the shoes in his closet.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Georgia teen gets 5 years in prison for shoe robbery," 1 June 2018
Davis named the gunman, but the victim couldn't identify him from photos, leaving Davis on the hook for the shoes in his closet.

— Fox News, "Georgia teen gets 5 years in prison for shoe robbery," 1 June 2018
Hat is vintage @philiptreacy been in my closet since 2005 with new feathers.

— tamara fuentes, Harper's BAZAAR, "Oprah Almost Broke This One Major Wedding Fashion Rule," 21 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'closet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of closet

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

closet Synonyms

Synonyms

buffet, cabinet, console, cupboard, hutch, locker, press, sideboard;

dresser, pie safe;

armoire, clothespress, wardrobe;

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

closet

verb

Definition of closet

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

See closet defined for English-language learners

Examples of closet in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of closet from the Web

Trump stayed largely out of sight in the Shangri-La Hotel, where he had been closeted with aides since landing in Singapore on Sunday evening.

— mark landler, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump, Kim Jong Un sign a joint declaration at summit," 11 June 2018
At the time a paradise for American tourists — both straight and gay — the island no doubt offered a bounty of attractions for the young, closeted Harvey.

— john mcmurtrie, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘Harvey Milk: His Lives and Death,’ by Lillian Faderman," 22 May 2018
Though Clemons was gay — and sadly closeted for a long time — he was embraced by Rogers as a true friend for life.

— NBC News, "4 life lessons we learned from Mr. Rogers that are especially relevant today," 22 May 2018
Though his boyfriend at the time was with him at the Games, he was still closeted.

— adam carlson, PEOPLE.com, "See Gus Kenworthy's Steamy Gay Times Photo Shoot as Olympian Talks 'Commitment' vs. 'Monogamy'," 27 Mar. 2018
As St Morris could not have known, writing a year before the movie’s release, Esti is closeted and depressed.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "Circle of Trust," 30 Apr. 2018
He was married, and remained closeted for much of his life.

— refinery29.com, "The True Story Behind," 13 Mar. 2018
Despite the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1997, much of the LGBT community in China remains closeted.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "China's LGBT Community Staged a Massive Protest Against an Online Ban of Gay Content—And Won," 16 Apr. 2018
Johnson had spent much of high school closeted and nearly suicidal.

— david freedlander, Daily Intelligencer, "The Man Who Is Glitterbombing New York City Politics," 8 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of closet

1595

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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closet Synonyms

Synonyms

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

encircle, encompass, enfold, enframe, enlace, frame, ring, surround;

armor, cocoon, encapsulate, encapsule, encyst, ensheathe, ensphere, enwomb;

closet

adjective

Definition of closet

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

See closet defined for English-language learners

Examples of closet in a Sentence

Some people think he's a closet homosexual.

First Known Use of closet

circa 1615

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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CLOSET Defined for English Language Learners

closet

noun

Definition of closet for English Language Learners

: a usually small room that is used for storing things (such as clothing, towels, or dishes)
: a state in which someone will not talk about something or admit something; especially : a state in which someone will not admit being a homosexual

closet

verb

Definition of closet for English Language Learners

: to put (yourself) in a room in order to be alone
: to bring (someone) into a room in order to talk privately

closet

adjective

Definition of closet for English Language Learners

: hiding the fact that you are a particular type of person

CLOSET Defined for Kids

closet

noun clos·et \ ˈklä-zət \

Definition of closet for Students

: a small room for clothing or for supplies for the house

a clothes closet

Learn More about closet

See words that rhyme with closet Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for closet Spanish Central: Translation of closet Nglish: Translation of closet for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of closet for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about closet

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closet

Definition of closet

closetful

Examples of closet in a Sentence

Recent Examples of closet from the Web

Origin and Etymology of closet

closet Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

closet

Definition of closet

Examples of closet in a Sentence

Recent Examples of closet from the Web

First Known Use of closet

closet Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

closet

Definition of closet

Examples of closet in a Sentence

First Known Use of closet

Phrases Related to CLOSET

Related Phrases

CLOSET Defined for English Language Learners

closet

Definition of closet for English Language Learners

closet

Definition of closet for English Language Learners

closet

Definition of closet for English Language Learners

CLOSET Defined for Kids

closet

Definition of closet for Students

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