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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Below, Hooper answers Vogue’s model questionnaire—and shares her discovery story, her favorite assignment to date, and what’s currently in her closet.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 June 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for closet
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.
Noun
The heated Toto toilets are a delight, as are the Diptyque products found in the shower, yoga mat and meditation pillow in the closet, and binoculars that urge you to sit and people-watch for a while.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Below, Hooper answers Vogue’s model questionnaire—and shares her discovery story, her favorite assignment to date, and what’s currently in her closet.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 June 2026
Verb
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
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
See All Example Sentences for closet
Cite this Entry
“Closet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closet. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
