fasten
Americanverb (used with object)
-
fastens,
present (3rd person singular)
-
fastened,
past participle, past
-
fastening
present participle
-
to attach firmly or securely in place; fix securely to something else.
-
to make secure, as an article of dress with buttons, clasps, etc., or a door with a lock, bolt, etc.
-
to enclose securely, as a person or an animal (usually followed byin ).
to fasten a monkey in a cage.
-
to attach, associate, or connect.
to fasten a nickname on someone.
-
to direct (the eyes, thoughts, etc.) intently.
to fasten one's eyes on a speaker.
verb (used without object)
-
fastens,
present (3rd person singular)
-
fastened,
past participle, past
-
fastening
present participle
-
to become fast, fixed, or firm.
-
to close firmly or securely; lock.
This clasp won't fasten.
-
to take a firm hold; seize (usually followed by on orupon ).
to fasten on an idea.
-
to focus attention; concentrate (usually followed by on orupon ).
His gaze fastened on the jewels.
verb
-
to make or become fast or secure
-
to make or become attached or joined
-
to close or become closed by fixing firmly in place, locking, etc
-
(tr; foll by in or up) to enclose or imprison
-
to cause (blame, a nickname, etc) to be attached (to); place (on) or impute (to)
-
to direct or be directed in a concentrated way; fix
he fastened his gaze on the girl
-
take firm hold (of)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
fastensimple
-
fastenssimple
-
have fastenedperfect
-
has fastenedperfect
-
am fasteningprogressive
-
are fasteningprogressive
-
is fasteningprogressive
-
have been fasteningperfect progressive
-
has been fasteningperfect progressive
Past
-
fastenedsimple
-
had fastenedperfect
-
was fasteningprogressive
-
were fasteningprogressive
-
had been fasteningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of fasten
before 900; Middle English fastenen, Old English fæstnian; cognate with Old Norse fastna to betroth; akin to fast 1
Explanation
When you fasten something, you close or attach it. You might fasten your coat, closing each snap, when the sun goes down and the air gets chilly. People fasten all kinds of things: we all fasten our seat belts when we board an airplane and fasten our bathrobes by tying them in the front. Your ski goggles might fasten onto your helmet, just as your boots fasten onto your skis. You can also say that you fasten your hair with a barrette or fasten a charm bracelet around your wrist. The Old English root is fæstnian, "make fast or firm."
Vocabulary lists containing fasten
"A Universe of Stars"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Core Curriculum: Introductory Craft Skills," Vocabulary from Module Four
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
And Then, Boom!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The implied exhortation is that readers should fasten their seatbelts for a rare old ride.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
At designer Rowen Rose, a large orange stone was used to fasten a green or yellow scarf to a matching sweater.
From Barron's ● Jan. 20, 2026
Reusable pads look similar to disposable ones but are usually made from cotton or bamboo and fasten around your underwear with poppers.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2025
Like a pilot calmly instructing passengers to fasten their seat belts, Nielson suggested I wrap the fire-resistant “shroud” hanging from my bright yellow helmet around my face.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2025
I pull out my antennae hats I shaped last night out a tinfoil, fasten em on our heads.
From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
David Raya fastens his gloves and breathes out.
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
Later he fastens his attentions on an unthreatening neighbor and his daughter, who has a crush on Frank.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026
Arciga fastens the headset over his black beanie and enables “Do Not Disturb” on his iPhone, before fastening the phone to his head to record.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2026
As a song—“Just a Little Bit of Light”—plays, he lifts a large menorah from his car, fastens it onto the roof, lights it, and dances beside it, out in the street.
From Slate ● Dec. 19, 2025
He unzips his jacket and I press against him as he fastens it around me.
From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
On long red ribbons fastened to a metal structure around a tree trunk, people wrote wishes for success at work or school.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
“As a result, we would suggest you remain seated with your seat belts fastened, as we expect more near-term turbulence.”
From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026
A plywood arch bearing the words “Caius Caesar: Preparing For Triumph” had been fastened to the door; the kids were getting ready for the annual Roman pageant.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
I sat on this chair, he fastened a strap around my left hand, and then did the same with my right hand.
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2025
Finally, as the light faded, they fastened the mats of bark onto the willow frame, a half skeleton of pliable saplings.
From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich
Visitors also encountered the phonograph and early mechanical fastening devices that foreshadowed later developments in clothing closures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 16, 2026
Arciga fastens the headset over his black beanie and enables “Do Not Disturb” on his iPhone, before fastening the phone to his head to record.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2026
Soon, the railings of the bridge were so crammed that new locks could only be attached by fastening them to the existing ones.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2024
“Incorrect shelf fastening can cause damage to both the bookcase and the contents on display, creating a potential safety risk for yourself and your loved ones,” he says.
From Seattle Times ● May 3, 2024
“Yes,” I said, a dummy to her moods, going into my bedroom and flinging off my dressing gown, fastening my inevitable flannel skirt and stretching my home-made jumper over my head.
From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
