closet

[kloz-it]

noun

1. a small room, enclosed recess, or cabinet for storing clothing, food, utensils, etc.

2. a small private room, especially one used for prayer, meditation, etc.

3. a state or condition of secrecy or carefully guarded privacy.

   Some conservatives remain in the closet except on election day. Gay liberation has encouraged many gay people to come out of the closet.

4. water closet.

adjective

1. private; secluded.

2. suited for use or enjoyment in privacy.

   closet reflections; closet prayer.

3. engaged in private study or speculation; speculative; unpractical.

   a closet thinker with no practical experience.

4. being or functioning as such in private; secret.

   a closet anarchist.

verb (used with object)

1. to shut up in a private room for a conference, interview, etc. (usually used in the passive voice).

   The secretary of state was closeted with the senator for three hours in a tense session.

closet

/ ˈklɒzɪt /

noun

1. a small cupboard or recess

2. a small private room

3. short for water closet

4. (modifier) private or secret

5. (modifier) suited or appropriate for use in private

   closet meditations

6. (modifier) based on or devoted to theory; speculative

   a closet strategist

verb

1. (tr) to shut up or confine in a small private room, esp for conference or meditation

Word History and Origins

Origin of closet¹

1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French, Middle French, equivalent to clos close (noun) + -et -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of closet¹

C14: from Old French, from clos enclosure; see _close ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see come out of the closet; skeleton in the closet.

Example Sentences

He also explained it had taken time to discuss the relationship publicly because of the effects of his "extremely homophobic childhood", which meant he had been "deep in the closet" for years.

Read more on BBC

As one might expect of such an A-list couple, the primary suite has also been outfitted with an enormous walk-in closet that could double as an additional sitting room.

Read more on MarketWatch

Early in their relationship, he even floated the idea of starting a clothing line together, just to “knock off her closet.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Those benefits may include access to menopause specialists, coverage for medical treatments, educational resources and in-office amenities including quiet rooms and “comfort closets” stocked with supplies such as fans and deodorant.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And the current data understate the dominance of passive, valuation-blind index investing because many of the supposed “active” investors are closet indexers, St. James adds.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• cabinet 
• container 
• locker 
• room 
• vault 
• wardrobe