closet

verb

closeted; closeting; closets
Synonyms of closetnext

transitive verb

1
: to shut up in or as if in a closet
2
: to take into a closet for a secret interview

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 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.
Hired as a Skyline security guard, Aaron is promoted to fixer, keeping himself and Skyline’s A-listers closeted by any means necessary. Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 In the pilot, Keith was in his blue policeman’s uniform attending David’s father’s memorial service without permission from David, who was deeply closeted. Literary Hub, 19 May 2026 Repurpose Pallets Making a trash-can closet out of pallets can completely conceal your bins, with doors and lids that open out and up for easy access. Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2026 The steamy romance Heated Rivalry saw two gay men spend nearly a decade trying to define their relationship; although being closeted played a major role in their hesitation, the show also mined tension from the characters’ doubts about having an exclusive partnership. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for closet

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of closet was in 1583

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Closet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closet. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

closet

1 of 2 noun
clos·​et ˈkläz-ət How to pronounce closet (audio)
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

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