In the closet
Reference
Definition
“In the closet” describes someone who is not open about their sexual orientation, romantic orientation, or gender identity.
Quick Facts
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What “in the closet” means
In LGBTQ+ usage, “in the closet” means not being open about a person’s sexual orientation, romantic orientation, or gender identity. The phrase can be used with “about,” as in being in the closet about an identity.
Broader use
In colloquial English, “in the closet” can also describe not being open about another feature of someone’s life. This broader use is separate from the phrase’s LGBTQ+ meaning.