attach

[uh-tach]

verb (used with object)

1. to fasten or affix; join; connect.

   to attach a photograph to an application with a staple.

   Synonyms: annex, add, append, subjoin
   Antonyms: detach

2. to join in action or function; make part of.

   to attach oneself to a group.

3. Military.,  to place on temporary duty with or in assistance to a military unit.

4. to include as a quality or condition of something.

   One proviso is attached to this legacy.

5. to assign or attribute.

   to attach significance to a gesture.

6. to bind by ties of affection or regard.

   You always attach yourself to people who end up hurting you.

7. Law.,  to take (persons or property) by legal authority.

8. Obsolete.,  to lay hold of; seize.

verb (used without object)

1. to adhere; pertain; belong (usually followed by to orupon ).

   No blame attaches to him.

attach

/ əˈtætʃ /

verb

1. to join, fasten, or connect

2. (reflexive or passive) to become associated with or join, as in a business or other venture

   he attached himself to the expedition

3. to be inherent (in) or connected (with)

   responsibility attaches to the job

4. to attribute or ascribe

   to attach importance to an event

5. to include or append, esp as a condition

   a proviso is attached to the contract

6. (usually passive) military to place on temporary duty with another unit

7. (usually passive) to put (a member of an organization) to work in a different unit or agency, either with an expectation of reverting to, or while retaining some part of, the original working arrangement

8. to appoint officially

9. law to arrest or take (a person, property, etc) with lawful authority

10. obsolete,  to seize

Other Word Forms

• attachable adjective
• attacher noun
• reattach verb
• reattachable adjective
• unattachable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attach¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English atachen, from Anglo-French atacher “to seize,” Old French atachier “to fasten,” alteration of estachier “to fasten with or to a stake,” from estach(e), from Frankish stakka “stake”; stake ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of attach¹

C14: from Old French atachier to fasten, changed from estachier to fasten with a stake, from estache _stake ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see no strings attached.

Example Sentences

There’s only so much control that their grandparents will be able to exercise after they’re gone, and the best kinds of gifts don’t come with strings attached.

Read more on MarketWatch

So, when Gustav reveals that he’s written a new film for Nora to star in, the invitation feels sudden, as though it may have strings attached.

Read more on Salon

The system relies on a fluorescent tag attached to a small domain taken from one of the cell's own proteins.

Read more on Science Daily

As a result, he stayed attached to his player throughout the corner meaning Murillo was a spare man.

Read more on BBC

By attaching small copper oxide particles to carbon fibers, they were able to observe how the material responds when the applied voltage becomes increasingly negative.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• add 
• adhere 
• affix 
• connect 
• fix 
• hook up 
• link 
• secure 
• stick 
• tie