# closet

/ˈkɫɑzət/ (US) · /klˈɒzɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/closet
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. storage space

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

a small room or a large cupboard used for storing clothes, towels, or other household items.

For teachers: a small, enclosed space or cabinet used for storage. Predominantly American English in this sense; British English speakers typically prefer 'wardrobe' or 'cupboard'.

- He hung his winter coats in the back of the closet until next year.
- The master bedroom features a spacious walk-in closet with custom shelving for shoes and accessories.

Usage: Often used with 'walk-in' to describe a storage space large enough to enter.

### 2. state of secrecy

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a state of keeping your true feelings or identity secret from other people.

For teachers: a state of secrecy or concealment, particularly regarding one's sexual orientation or a hidden aspect of one's identity.

- He spent many years in the closet before finally telling his family the truth.
- The documentary explores the psychological toll of living in the closet during an era of intense social prejudice.

Usage: Commonly used in the idiomatic phrase 'in the closet' or 'to come out of the closet'.

### 3. secret or hidden

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

describes someone who keeps a belief, habit, or part of their identity secret.

For teachers: denoting a person who hides a specific interest, belief, or identity from the public. Usually functions as an attributive adjective before a noun.

- She is a closet fan of reality TV shows, though she pretends to hate them.
- He was a closet revolutionary who spent his days working as a quiet clerk while writing manifestos at night.

Usage: Typically placed directly before the noun it modifies.

### 4. to shut away

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to put yourself or someone else in a private room for a secret meeting.

For teachers: to shut someone away in a private room, typically for the purpose of confidential discussion or seclusion. Transitive; often used in the passive voice or as a reflexive verb.

- The lawyers closeted themselves in the office to finish the contract.
- The jury was closeted for several hours before finally reaching a unanimous verdict on the complex case.

Teaching tip: This verbal use is much less common than the noun and is usually found in formal writing or news reports about high-level negotiations.

## Examples

- I need to hang my new coat in the closet.
- She spent the entire Saturday morning organizing her bedroom closet and donating old clothes to charity.
- The architect designed the master suite with a spacious walk-in closet to ensure the living area remained free of clutter and bulky furniture.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.