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
Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
It was rescued and saved by Rick Flagan, a professor of chemical engineering and environmental science, who found it in a tin film canister in a Caltech closet.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Amazon Spring Sale shoe deals Level up your shoe closet with some Amazon spring sale finds, too, like these raffia espadrille sandals that are 44% off, plus mesh ballet flats from Sam Edelman that are marked down to just $40.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 25 Mar. 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
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Noun
Guests will have the opportunity to spend the night inside Hannah’s world, just steps from the ocean, and get a peek into the star’s legendary closet, where racks burst with glittering stage looks, sequined tops, and bold accessories.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
It was rescued and saved by Rick Flagan, a professor of chemical engineering and environmental science, who found it in a tin film canister in a Caltech closet.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Morrissey’s character must confront his own homophobia and transphobia as Cumming forms a friendship with one of his sons, who is closeted.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Amazon Spring Sale shoe deals Level up your shoe closet with some Amazon spring sale finds, too, like these raffia espadrille sandals that are 44% off, plus mesh ballet flats from Sam Edelman that are marked down to just $40.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 25 Mar. 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 29 Mar. 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
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