closeted

adjective

clos·​et·​ed ˈklä-zə-təd How to pronounce closeted (audio)
ˈklȯ-
: closet entry 3 sense 3
a closeted gay man

Examples of closeted in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is presumably a reference to Perkins' status as a closeted gay man, something Hitchcock likely knew, and not because Perkins had homicidal tendencies. Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025 Wil, a closeted Chinese-American lesbian, is at the apartment of Vivian, a childhood friend with whom she’s recently reunited in adulthood. James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025 The pilot episode kicks off with a closeted member of the Washberg family, Dale (Tim Blake Nelson), appearing to commit suicide after Lee’s latest exposé (excuse me, long-form magazine article). Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025 Chris Carmack costarred on Nashville as Will Lexington, a closeted country star coming to terms with his sexuality. Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for closeted

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of closeted was in 1969

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Cite this Entry

“Closeted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closeted. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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