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
Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Nearby is a closet that’s been converted into a bar, plus a windowed kitchen equipped with custom wood cabinetry, stone cabinetry, and Bosch, Wolf, and Sub-Zero appliances.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
Each of the two bedrooms, also nicely sized and closeted, have their own set of French doors leading onto a private terrace.
—Katie McDonough, Curbed, 6 Oct. 2025
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for closet
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Noun
This matching set can easily be worn with other pieces in your closet — especially the button-up top.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Nearby is a closet that’s been converted into a bar, plus a windowed kitchen equipped with custom wood cabinetry, stone cabinetry, and Bosch, Wolf, and Sub-Zero appliances.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
Keep your coat closet functional and organized by only storing specific items there.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
Each of the two bedrooms, also nicely sized and closeted, have their own set of French doors leading onto a private terrace.
—Katie McDonough, Curbed, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Here, four Aupen Nirvana bag options — ranging in price from $340 to $420 — that will quickly become closet staples and enrich your ensembles for years to come, no matter how the trend cycle shape-shifts.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for closet
Cite this Entry
“Closet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closet. Accessed 26 Oct. 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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