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

• attacher noun
• attachable adjective
• 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

It ebbs around an elk’s skull, five-point antlers still attached, and a muzzle loader hanging on the wall.

From Los Angeles Times

“I would be more attached if the team was actually winning,” Detki said, “because that would inspire me to be like, ‘Oh, who’s this guy?

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to the bike, luggage was attached to it that contained his passport and £15,000 worth of belongings.

From BBC

Sixth form colleges are typically larger than sixth forms attached to schools, and can support thousands of 16 to 19-year-old students studying for A-levels, as well as technical and vocational qualifications.

From BBC

The whiff of scandal was attached to Baltimore himself, even though his work was never questioned.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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