closet

American  

[kloz-it] / ˈklɒz ɪt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

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

closet Idioms  

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

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Etymology

Origin of closet

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

Example Sentences

That wasn’t happening, though I never junked the award and always knew in which drawer or closet it was.

From The Wall Street Journal

He tore out of the utility closet and walk-ran back toward the lobby, skidding to a stop in front of a love seat, where the man Etta had been talking to before was sitting.

From Literature

In my closet, I push aside the dresses and jackets dangling from hangers and pull out a plastic bin stuffed with Dad’s favorite T-shirts.

From Literature

That’s why some of us eavesdrop, sneak into closets and rummage through dresser drawers in secret.

From The Wall Street Journal

He runs to my room and throws open the closet doors.

From Literature

Related Words

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