closeted

1 of 2

adjective

clos·​et·​ed ˈklä-zə-təd How to pronounce closeted (audio)
ˈklȯ-
Synonyms of closetednext
: closet entry 3 sense 3
a closeted gay man

closeted

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of closet entry 2

Examples of closeted in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Related Stories Penn plays Kapoor, a closeted physician who takes over a retiring colleague’s practice, in the process inheriting Anna Nicole Smith (Abbie Cornish) as a patient. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 The atmospheric drama followed a closeted physical ed teacher in Newcastle, navigating the introduction of Margaret Thatcher’s Section 28 anti-gay law. — Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026 The closeted kid who felt empowered to come out during their showcase monologue, only to receive uproarious applause from the crowd. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 As of this writing, no such thing has occurred because of Heated Rivalry or any other factor, and the secrets of closeted gay NHL players are safe for now. — Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for closeted

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of closeted was in 1969

Rhymes for closeted

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Browse Nearby Words

closet drama
closeted
close the door
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Closeted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closeted. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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