closeted

/ˈklɒzɪtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈklɑːzɪtɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈklä-zə-təd ˈklȯ-/ (ame, mw)

closeted — 形容詞

  • closetedpositive
  • more closetedcomparative
  • most closetedsuperlative

1. used for a person who keeps their LGBTQ+ identity hidden from people around them

1.形容詞C1
釋義

未出櫃的

對外隱瞞性傾向或性別認同

used for a person who keeps their LGBTQ+ identity hidden from people around them

例句

Only his twin sister knew that Bilal was still closeted at work.

只有 Bilal 的雙胞胎姊妹知道他在職場上仍未出櫃。

pattern: be closeted at work

Quinn felt safer online than in a small town as a closeted teen.

身為未出櫃的青少年，Quinn 在線上比在小鎮裡更有安全感。

同義詞
  • hidden

    broader and less specific; it does not by itself suggest identity

  • secret

    describes something kept from others, but not the established term for LGBTQ+ identity

反義詞
  • out

    open about one's LGBTQ+ identity rather than concealing it

文法句型

be closeted

stay closeted

a closeted [noun]

用法筆記

Restricted to people hiding their sexual orientation or gender identity. For a hidden hobby, taste, or political view, use sense 2 instead.

常見錯誤

❌He is a closed gay man.
✅He is a closeted gay man.
💡'closed' is not the normal word for someone hiding an LGBTQ+ identity.

2. used for an interest, opinion, or activity that someone deliberately keeps priva

2.形容詞C1
釋義

暗藏的

指暗中保留的興趣或意見

used for an interest, opinion, or activity that someone deliberately keeps private

例句

Haruto is a closeted jazz fan who never mentions music at home.

Haruto 是個私下的爵士樂迷，在家裡從不提音樂。

pattern: a closeted [fan]

The senator's closeted support for the plan shocked her own staff.

那位參議員對這項計畫私下的支持，讓她自己的幕僚都很震驚。

collocation: closeted support for [sth]

同義詞
  • secret

    the closest general adjective, but less pointed and less idiomatic in some collocations

  • private

    can mean simply not discussed openly, without the stronger idea of concealment

  • hidden

    works broadly, but it does not suggest a deliberately concealed side of someone

反義詞
  • open

    shared or shown plainly rather than kept quiet

  • public

    known or expressed openly in front of others

文法句型

a closeted [fan/opponent]

closeted support for [sth]

closeted [views/doubts]

用法筆記

This sense is broader than sense 1 and often appears before nouns like 'fan', 'support', or 'views'. It is not the standard sense for concealed LGBTQ+ identity.

3. kept in a private place for a time, usually to work, talk, or think without inte

3.形容詞C2
釋義

閉門的

關在私密處所內工作或商談

kept in a private place for a time, usually to work, talk, or think without interruption

例句

The lawyers stayed closeted in a side room all afternoon.

那些律師整個下午都待在側邊的小會議室裡閉門討論。

pattern: be closeted in [place]

Isabela and the editor were closeted together until the deadline passed.

Isabela 和編輯一直關在同一間房裡改稿，直到截稿時間過去。

pattern: be closeted together

同義詞
  • secluded

    describes being apart from others, but not always for work or a private discussion

  • shut away

    more everyday and often suggests isolation rather than a formal meeting

  • holed up

    informal and often suggests hiding or staying inside for a long time

反義詞
  • accessible

    available to be seen or reached rather than kept behind closed doors

  • public

    done openly instead of in a private room

文法句型

be closeted in [place]

be closeted with [person]

remain closeted

用法筆記

This sense usually follows verbs like 'be', 'stay', or 'remain' and often takes 'in' for a place or 'with' for the people in the private meeting. It sounds formal or journalistic.

常見錯誤

❌The minister was closeted on advisers.
✅The minister was closeted with advisers.
💡this sense normally uses 'with' for the people involved in the private meeting.