closet

1 of 3

noun

clos·​et ˈklä-zət 

ˈklȯ-

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

ˈklä-zət-ˌfu̇l 

ˈklȯ-

noun

closet

2 of 3

verb

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

closet

3 of 3

adjective

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

Synonyms of closet

Noun

• pantry
• cupboard

Verb

• house

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

Noun

The next morning, as Nguyen was getting ready for work, Tran shot her in the arm with a BB gun, forced her into a closet and then began stabbing her repeatedly with a knife, Campbell said. —Sean Emery, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026

Fill a closet or cabinet with balloons so that when your child opens the door, this silly Easter delight will tumble down on them. —Laura Fenton, Parents, 5 Mar. 2026

Verb

Police also discovered that the Byrds had locked their bedroom door and closet where non-perishable food was being kept away from their children, according to court officials. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026

To represent gay men that are closeted and in middle America. —Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 26 Feb. 2026

Adjective

One bullet struck a closet door in the child's bedroom. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026

Try a new-to-your-closet denim wash to mix things up. —Andrea Bossi, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing closet

• china closet
• closet drama
• closet queen
• glass closet
• skeletons in the/someone's closet
• walk-in closet
• water closet

Rhymes for closet

• posit
• composite
• deposit
• nanocomposite
• oviposit

Kids 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 verb

1

: to shut up in or as if in a closet

2

: to take into a private room for an interview