adj
closeted
KLO-zih-tihd
adj
1
Not open about one's sexual orientation or gender identity.
"He remained closeted at work for years before coming out to colleagues."
2
Shut away in private, often for a serious discussion.
"The negotiators stayed closeted in the boardroom until well past midnight."
How to Use Closeted
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishKept hidden or shut away privately — today used mostly about someone not openly out about their sexuality.
Common pairings
closeted gay man
closeted in a meeting
Word Forms
more closeted comparative, most closeted superlative
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He remained _____ at work for years before coming out to colleagues.
Etymology
From closet plus the adjective-forming suffix -ed.