closet

A cupboard or small room where you keep clothes or other household things.

• My coats are in the closet.
• She cleaned out her bedroom closet.
• Does the apartment have enough closet space?

Similar words: cupboard, wardrobe

Common phrases: bedroom closet, closet door, closet space

A state of hiding something personal, especially being gay, from other people.

• He is still in the closet.
• She finally came out of the closet last year.
• Every family has a skeleton in the closet.

How to use it: in the closet (He stayed in the closet because he feared rejection.); come out of the closet (She came out of the closet to her family.)

Similar words: secrecy, hiding

Common phrases: in the closet, out of closet, closet of secrets

Having an interest, belief, or personal identity that you keep hidden from others.

• He is a closet romantic.
• My sister is a closet fan of that band.
• Some closet supporters quietly donated money.

Similar words: secret, hidden

Opposites: open

Common phrases: closet romantic, closet fan, closet gay

To shut yourself away with someone to discuss something privately.

• They closeted themselves for a private discussion.
• The minister was closeted with her advisers.
• He closeted himself in his office to negotiate the deal.

How to use it: closet yourself with someone (She closeted herself with her advisers.); be closeted with someone (The director was closeted with the lawyers all morning.)

Similar words: shut away

Common phrases: closet yourself away, closet yourself with someone