closet queen

noun

plural closet queens

often disparaging

: a person who secretly engages in sexual activity with someone of the same sex while leading an outwardly heterosexual life

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of closet queen was in 1963

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Browse Nearby Words

close to the mark

closet queen

close-up

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Closet queen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closet%20queen. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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