plural closets
1
chiefly US
: a usually small room that is used for storing things (such as clothing, towels, or dishes)
The sheets and blankets are in the hall closet.
He has a closet full of new clothes.
broom/coat closets
a walk-in closet [=a large closet usually for clothes]
2
: a state in which someone will not talk about something or admit something
especially
: a state in which someone will not admit being a homosexual
—usually used in the phrases in the closet or out of the closet
He's still in the closet. [=he has not told people that he is gay]
She came out of the closet in college.
always used before a noun
: hiding the fact that you are a particular type of person
She's a closet racist. [=she does not want people to know that she is a racist]
Some people think he's a closet homosexual.
closets; closeted; closeting
1
: to put (yourself) in a room in order to be alone
He closeted himself in his apartment for several days.
2
: to bring (someone) into a room in order to talk privately
—usually used as (be) closeted
The manager was closeted with one of her employees for several hours.
Cite this Entry
“Closet.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/closet. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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