closet

clos·et

C0417800 (klŏz′ĭt, klô′zĭt)n.1. A cabinet or enclosed recess for linens, household supplies, or clothing.2. A small private chamber, as for study or prayer.3. A water closet; a toilet.4. A state of secrecy or cautious privacy: Two days before the election, the candidate suddenly came out of the closet and denounced the proposed law.tr.v. clos·et·ed, clos·et·ing, clos·ets To enclose or shut up in a private room, as for discussion: closeted themselves with their attorneys.adj.1. Private; confidential: closet information.2. Being so or engaging only in private; secret: a closet proponent of a tax increase; a closet alcoholic.3. Based on theory and speculation rather than practice.

[Middle English, private room, from Old French, diminutive of clos, enclosure, from Latin clausum, from neuter of clausus, enclosed; see close.]

clos′et·ful′ n.

closet

(ˈklɒzɪt) n1. a small cupboard or recess2. a small private room3. short for water closet4. (modifier) private or secret5. (modifier) suited or appropriate for use in private: closet meditations. 6. (modifier) US and Canadian based on or devoted to theory; speculative: a closet strategist. vb, -ets, -eting or -eted (tr) to shut up or confine in a small private room, esp for conference or meditation[C14: from Old French, from clos enclosure; see close¹]

clos•et

(ˈklɒz ɪt)

n., adj., v. -et•ed, -et•ing. n. 1. a small room, enclosed recess, or cabinet for storing clothing, food, utensils, etc. 2. a small private room, esp. one used for prayer, meditation, etc. 3. a state or condition of secrecy or carefully guarded privacy. 4. water closet. adj. 5. private; secluded. 6. suited for use or enjoyment in privacy: closet prayer. 7. engaged in private study or speculation; speculative; impractical: a closet thinker. 8. being or functioning as such in private; secret: a closet homosexual. v.t. 9. to shut up in a private room for a conference, interview, etc.: The President was closeted with the senators for three hours. [1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French, Middle French, =clos close (n.) + -et -et] clos′et•ful`, n., pl. -fuls.

closet

- First denoted a private or small room.See also related terms for private.

cupboard

wardrobe">wardrobe closet1. 'cupboard'

A cupboard is a piece of furniture with doors at the front and usually shelves inside.

The kitchen cupboard is stocked with tins of soup.

Cupboards in American English are built-in shelves behind doors. They are mainly found in kitchens.

She was in the kitchen, opening cupboards, moving boxes and cans to see what lay behind.2. 'wardrobe'

A wardrobe is a tall piece of furniture, usually in a bedroom, that has space for hanging clothes.

I hung my dress up in the wardrobe.3. 'closet'

A wardrobe is sometimes built into the wall of a room, rather than being a separate piece of furniture. In American English, a built-in wardrobe is called a closet.

There's an iron in the closet.

closet

Past participle: closeted
Gerund: closeting

Imperative
closet
closet

Present
I closet
you closet
he/she/it closets
we closet
you closet
they closet

Preterite
I closeted
you closeted
he/she/it closeted
we closeted
you closeted
they closeted

Present Continuous
I am closeting
you are closeting
he/she/it is closeting
we are closeting
you are closeting
they are closeting

Present Perfect
I have closeted
you have closeted
he/she/it has closeted
we have closeted
you have closeted
they have closeted

Past Continuous
I was closeting
you were closeting
he/she/it was closeting
we were closeting
you were closeting
they were closeting

Past Perfect
I had closeted
you had closeted
he/she/it had closeted
we had closeted
you had closeted
they had closeted

Future
I will closet
you will closet
he/she/it will closet
we will closet
you will closet
they will closet

Future Perfect
I will have closeted
you will have closeted
he/she/it will have closeted
we will have closeted
you will have closeted
they will have closeted

Future Continuous
I will be closeting
you will be closeting
he/she/it will be closeting
we will be closeting
you will be closeting
they will be closeting

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been closeting
you have been closeting
he/she/it has been closeting
we have been closeting
you have been closeting
they have been closeting

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been closeting
you will have been closeting
he/she/it will have been closeting
we will have been closeting
you will have been closeting
they will have been closeting

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been closeting
you had been closeting
he/she/it had been closeting
we had been closeting
you had been closeting
they had been closeting

Conditional
I would closet
you would closet
he/she/it would closet
we would closet
you would closet
they would closet

Past Conditional
I would have closeted
you would have closeted
he/she/it would have closeted
we would have closeted
you would have closeted
they would have closeted

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	closet - a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage spacecupboardairing cupboard - a warm cupboard where you put newly washed clothes until they are completely drybroom closet - a small room for storing brooms and other cleaning equipmentsafe - a ventilated or refrigerated cupboard for securing provisions from pestsstorage space - the area in any structure that provides space for storagesupply closet - a closet for storing supplies
	2.	closet - a toilet in Britain loo, W.C., water closetjohn, lav, lavatory, privy, toilet, bathroom, can - a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
	3.	closet - a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clotheswardrobe, pressarmoire - a large wardrobe or cabinet; originally used for storing weaponsclothes closet, clothespress - a closet where clothes are storedcoat closet - a closet for storing outerweararticle of furniture, furniture, piece of furniture - furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy; "they had too much furniture for the small apartment"; "there was only one piece of furniture in the room"
	4.	closet - a small private room for study or prayerkiosk, stall, booth, cubicle - small area set off by walls for special useroom - an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling; "the rooms were very small but they had a nice view"shelf - a support that consists of a horizontal surface for holding objects
Verb	1.	closet - confine to a small space, as for intensive workconfine - prevent from leaving or from being removed

closet

noun1. (U.S.) cupboard, cabinet, recess, cubicle, cubbyhole Perhaps there's room in the broom closet.adjective1. secret, private, hidden, unknown, concealed, covert, unrevealed He is a closet Fascist.

closet

verbTo enclose so as to hinder or prohibit escape:confine, imprison, shut up.

Translations

壁橱衣橱

closet

(ˈklozit) noun (American) a cupboard. a clothes closet. 衣橱，壁橱 ˈcloseted adjective engaged in a private conversation in a separate room from other people. They're closeted in his office.关起门来密谈

closet

broom closet

The figurative place where one hides one's practice of Wicca or other Pagan religious beliefs or activities from other people, likened to a homosexual person being "in the closet" when they have not publicly revealed their sexual orientation. "Broom" is a reference to the stereotypical accessory of witches. I had been studying the intricacies of real witchcraft for several years before I came out of the broom closet to my parents.See also: broom, closet

have (a) skeleton(s) in (one's)/the closet

To have (an) embarrassing, unpleasant, damaging, or incriminating secret(s) from one's past. Primarily heard in US. Even the most seemingly perfect people have some pretty shocking skeletons in their closets. She has a skeleton in her closet that could ruin her chance at the presidency if the press were to find out about it. My agoraphobia has always been something of a skeleton in the closet for me.See also: closet, have

skeleton in the/(one's) closet

An embarrassing or shameful secret. Primarily heard in US. If you've got a skeleton in the closet, it will probably be exposed during this campaign. He didn't believe me when I said that I didn't have any skeletons in my closet.See also: closet, skeleton

skeleton in the/(one's) cupboard

An embarrassing or shameful secret. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. If you've got a skeleton in the cupboard, it will probably be exposed during this campaign. He didn't believe me when I said that I didn't have any skeletons in my cupboard.See also: cupboard, skeleton

closet (someone/oneself) with (someone)

To sequester someone or oneself with someone else in order to accomplish something. If we can just closet one party with the other, I think they will finally reach an agreement.See also: closet

come out

1. To exit a particular place. Please come out of your room and talk with me. Will a car be waiting for us when we come out of the party?2. To be blurted out; to be said unexpectedly or unintentionally. I didn't mean to insult her hairdo, it just came out!3. To be rendered in a particular way, often a way that was not intended. I didn't mean to insult her hairdo, but everything I said just came out wrong. I double checked my typing, but the text still came out all garbled. There must be a problem with the interface.4. To be revealed or exposed. When will the truth finally come out?5. To become visible. After so much rain, I was thrilled when the sun finally came out.6. To be removed or washed away. I hope this stain comes out in the wash.7. To have a particular result or level of quality; to turn out. How did your project come out? For my first try at baking, these cookies came out pretty good!8. To equal a monetary amount. What do all of your medical bills come out to?9. To be made available to the public; to be officially released. I'm so excited that my favorite author has a new book coming out in a few weeks.10. To make one's formal debut in society, as of a debutante. Will your daughter come out at the Debutante Ball this year?11. To reveal a personal secret, typically one's non-heterosexuality, after having kept it hidden. Once you come out to your parents, you will be very relieved.12. To make a stance public. The senator, long undecided, has finally come out in support of the bill.13. To join one's friends in public socializing. Jen and Dean never come out anymore now that they have kids.See also: come, out

come out of the closet

1. Of a non-heterosexual person, to reveal one's sexuality after having kept it hidden. Once you come out of the closet, you will feel so relieved.2. To publicly reveal a secret. After months of tabloid speculation, the young starlet has finally come out of the closet and confirmed her divorce.See also: closet, come, of, out

Fibber McGee's closet

A complete and total mess. Fibber McGee was the titular character in The Fibber McGee and Molly radio show that aired in the mid-20th century. The state of his closet was a running gag known to produce a noisy avalanche of items. Good luck finding anything in the pantry—it's like Fibber McGee's closet right now.See also: closet, Fibber

out of the closet

1. No longer a secret. Even though the designs for their newest smartphone are out of the closet, Sony are still refusing to comment publicly about it.2. Of a non-heterosexual person, public and open about one's sexuality. I came out of the closet when I was in high school, and while it was certainly hard to do, it's been wonderful having the support of my friends and family for my entire adult life. You have to understand that being out of the closet back then meant you were risking your career, your freedom—maybe even your life, in certain parts of the country.See also: closet, of, out

in the closet

Said of a non-heterosexual person who has not revealed their sexuality to others (a process often called "coming out (of the closet)"). After years in the closet, I refuse to hide my homosexuality. I'm a proud gay man!See also: closet

rain closet

The shower, especially a standalone shower that is not part of a bathtub. There isn't a proper bathroom in the studio apartment, just a toilet and a tiny rain closet. Let me just get in the rain closet to wash all this dirt and grime off before dinner.See also: closet, rain

closet someone with someone

to put someone into a private room with someone else for the purposes of conducting business. She closeted herself with the president and finally, once and for all, had her say.See also: closet

come out

1. Lit to exit; to leave the inside of a place. Please come out. We have to leave. When do you think they will all come out? 2. Fig. to result; to succeed; to happen. I hope everything comes out fine. It will come out okay. Don't worry. 3. Fig. to come before the public; [for a book] to be published; [for a report] to be made public. A new magazine has just come out. When will your next book come out? 4. Fig. to become visible or evident. His pride came out in his refusal to accept help. The real reason finally came out, and it was not flattering. 5. Fig. [for a young woman] to make a social debut. (Now only done in certain U.S. regions.) Does your daughter plan to come out this year? 6. Fig. to reveal one's homosexuality. (See also out of the closet.) Herbie finally came out when he was forty-five.See also: come, out

come out

(of someone or something) to emerge from someone or something. Did that pile of books really come out of just one office? The lion came out of its den.See also: come, out

come out

(of something) 1. and come out from something Lit. to exit from something. When will they come out of that meeting? The people came out from the houses and celebrated. 2. Fig. to result from something. Nothing at all came out of our discussions.See also: come, out

*out of the closet

1. Fig. revealing one's secret interests. (*Typically: be ~; Come ~; get ~.) Tom Brown came out of the closet and admitted that he likes to knit. It's time that all of you lovers of chamber music came out of the closet and attended our concerts. 2. Fig. revealing that one is homosexual. (*Typically: be ~; Come ~; bring someone ~.) Tom surprised his parents when he came out of the closet. It was difficult for him to be out of the closet.See also: closet, of, out

skeleton(s) in the closet

a hidden and shocking secret. You can ask anyone about how reliable I am. I don't mind. I don't have any skeletons in the closet. My uncle was in jail for a day once. That's our family's skeleton in the closet.See also: closet, skeleton

come out

1. Become known, be discovered, as in The whole story came out at the trial. [c. 1200] 2. Be issued or brought out, as in My new book is coming out this month. [Late 1500s] 3. Make a formal debut in society or on the stage, as in In New York, debutantes come out in winter. [Late 1700s] 4. End up, result, as in Everything came out wrong. [Mid-1800s] Also see come out ahead. 5. come out for or against . Declare oneself publicly in favor of or opposed to someone or something, as in The governor came out for a tax cut, or Many senators came out against the bill. [Late 1800s] 6. Also, come out of the closet. Reveal that one is homosexual, as in The military has specific policies regarding soldiers who come out of the closet while enlisted . [Mid-1900s] Also see the subsequent entries beginning with come out. See also: come, out

skeleton in the closet

A shameful secret, as in Both her parents were alcoholics; that was the skeleton in her closet. This metaphoric term alludes to a murder victim long concealed in a closet, possibly based on some true incident that is now forgotten. [Early 1800s] See also: closet, skeleton

come out of the closet

COMMON1. If someone comes out of the closet, they tell people for the first time that they are gay. She felt that if she came out of the closet as a lesbian, she would be discriminated against. Note: People usually talk about homosexuals coming out, rather than coming out of the closet. I came out when I was still in my teens. Note: Closet is also used in other structures and expressions with a similar or opposite meaning. For example, if you talk about someone being forced back into the closet, you mean that they are being forced again to hide the fact that they are gay. The HIV Aids crisis threatened to push us all back into the closet. Note: You can also use closet before a noun in order to describe a person who hides the fact that they are gay. He was exposed as a closet homosexual. Note: `Out of the closet' was a slogan used by the Gay Liberation Front in the United States in the late 1960s. 2. If someone comes out of the closet, they talk openly about a belief or habit which they have kept secret until now. I suppose it's time I came out of the closet and admitted I'm a Labour supporter. Note: You can also use closet before a noun in order to describe a person who hides their beliefs, feelings, or habits. I'm really a closet greenie who likes to live close to nature.3. When a subject comes out of the closet, it becomes widely known or openly discussed for the first time. `Prostate cancer came out of the closet,' he adds, `and men started to join self-help groups to talk openly about prostate problems.' Note: You can also say that you bring something out of the closet. The subject needs to be brought out of the closet and dealt with honestly.See also: closet, come, of, out

a skeleton in the closet

BRITISH, AMERICAN or

a skeleton in the cupboard

BRITISHCOMMON If someone has a skeleton in the closet or a skeleton in the cupboard, they have a secret that would cause great embarrassment or shame if other people knew about it. But everybody's got vices, haven't they? There's always a skeleton in the closet somewhere. Note: This expression is variable. Show me somebody with no skeletons in their cupboard, and I'll show you a skilful liar.See also: closet, skeleton

out of the closet

out into the open. informal Closet , the normal North American term for ‘cupboard’ or ‘wardrobe’, is used in the Bible to typify privacy and seclusion (for example in Luke 12:3: ‘that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops’). Come out of the closet means ‘cease hiding a secret about yourself’ or ‘make public your intentions’. It is now most commonly, though not always, used in connection with someone making their homosexuality public. 1998 Spectator The Prime Minister's entourage could not conceal its glee at the results of their boss coming out of the closet. See also: closet, of, out

come out of the ˈcloset

admit something openly that you kept secret before, especially because of shame or embarrassment: Homosexuals in public life are now coming out of the closet.See also: closet, come, of, out

a skeleton in the ˈcupboard/ˈcloset

something shocking, embarrassing, etc. that has happened to you or your family in the past that you want to keep secret: The new presidential candidate is certainly popular, but does he have any skeletons in the closet?See also: closet, cupboard, skeleton

come out

v.1. To leave some enclosed space: The dog went into the shed, but he won't come out.2. To go and spend time outside of where one lives: Every summer we come out to the country to get fresh air. Why don't you come out with us after work and see the play? 3. To appear or come into view: Look, the stars are coming out!4. To have a visibly successful outcome: None of my photographs of the UFO came out.5. To become known: The whole story came out at the trial.6. To be issued or brought out: The author's new book just came out.7. To declare oneself publicly: The governor came out in favor of tax breaks.8. To reveal that one is a gay man, a lesbian, or a bisexual: The celebrity came out on national television.9. To make a formal social debut: She came out at age 18 in New York City.10. To end up in some state; result in being something: I hope everything comes out well. My painting came out a big mess.11. come out to To result in some total amount; sum up to some amount: The bill for the dinner comes out to $15 per person.12. come out with To offer something new for sale: The band is coming out with a new record next week.See also: come, out

closet

mod. secret; concealed. (see also come out of the closet.) Marty is a closet chocolate fiend.

come out of the closet

in. to appear publicly as a homosexual; to cease concealing one’s homosexuality. (The phrase has many nonsexual metaphorical meanings.) They say he came out of the closet when he was eight years old. See also: closet, come, of, out

rain closet

n. a shower (bath). P.U. Willy. You need a trip to the rain closet. See also: closet, rain

skeleton in (one's) closet

A source of shame or disgrace, as in a family, that is kept secret.See also: closet, skeleton

come out of the closet

Reveal one’s homosexuality. This term began to be widely used in the second half of the 1900s and also has been shortened to come out. It refers to the older usage, closet homosexual, that is, one who is well concealed. It is occasionally used in a nonsexual sense, as in “Cathy’s come out of the closet about her peanut-butter binges.” See also: closet, come, of, out

skeleton in the closet, the

A shameful secret. This term likens a family secret to a murder victim hidden away in a closet or cupboard. If it ever was based on such an incident, the history has been lost. In any event, the metaphor became current in the early nineteenth century. Thackeray used it in several novels, as did Dickens, George Meredith, and other nineteenth-century British writers, and it remains current.See also: skeleton

Fibber McGee's closet

A mess. The Fibber McGee and Molly radio show chronicled the title characters' lives through the Depression and beyond (the show ran from 1935 to 1959). The gentle family-friendly humor came from Fibber McGee's hatching far-fetched get-rich schemes that never materialized, not to the surprise of his long-suffering but supportive wife Molly. The McGees's house was noted for its overstuffed closet. Audiences eagerly awaited someone, usually Fibber himself, to open its door, whereupon the sound of a landslide of glassware and other breakables filled the airwaves. The noise went on for what seemed an eternity, followed by a brief moment of silence, and then the sound of one final item (portrayed by one chime of a hand bell) and McGee's resolution to straighten the closet “one of these days.” “Fibber McGee's closet” entered the language as a metaphor for any example of domestic disarray, especially in a basement, attic, or—of course—a closetSee also: closet, Fibber

skeleton in the closet

A hidden shame. As if hiding a murder victim or another object that would cause great distress to the hider if found, to have a skeleton in the closet is to have a secret of any sort that you don't want revealed.See also: closet, skeleton

closet

clos·et

closet

clos•et

closet

cupboard

closet

closet

closet

closet

closet

broom closet

have (a) skeleton(s) in (one's)/the closet

skeleton in the/(one's) closet

skeleton in the/(one's) cupboard

closet (someone/oneself) with (someone)

come out

come out of the closet

Fibber McGee's closet

out of the closet

in the closet

rain closet

closet someone with someone

come out

come out

come out

*out of the closet

skeleton(s) in the closet

come out

skeleton in the closet

come out of the closet

a skeleton in the closet

a skeleton in the cupboard

out of the closet

come out of the ˈcloset

a skeleton in the ˈcupboard/ˈcloset

come out

closet

come out of the closet

rain closet

skeleton in (one's) closet

come out of the closet

skeleton in the closet, the

Fibber McGee's closet

skeleton in the closet

Closet

What does it mean when you dream about a closet?

closet

Closet

closet

Synonyms for closet

noun cupboard

Synonyms

adj secret

Synonyms

Synonyms for closet

verb to enclose so as to hinder or prohibit escape

Synonyms

Synonyms for closet

noun a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space

Synonyms

Related Words

noun a toilet in Britain

Synonyms

Related Words

noun a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes

Synonyms

Related Words

noun a small private room for study or prayer

Related Words

verb confine to a small space, as for intensive work

Related Words