attach

American  

[uh-tach] / əˈtætʃ /

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.

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verb (used without object)

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

   No blame attaches to him.

attach British  

/ 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

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attach Idioms  

1. see no strings attached.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of attach

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”; cf. stake ¹

Explanation

Use the verb attach when you need to join things together, like a stamp that you attach to a letter. When you attach something, you join it or tie it to something else. The word can be used to show physically joining things, like a printer that you attach to your computer, or to show a strong personal connection. For example, you can attach yourself to a political cause or to a group of friends.

Example Sentences

Unlike standard property taxes that attach as a lien, this personal surcharge invites disputes and loopholes, including the use of trusts.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

BET inhibitors were designed to block a shared feature that all BET proteins use to attach to chromatin, the tightly packed structure of DNA and proteins where genes are stored and controlled.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

"If something has come from space, it will likely include metals that will attach to the magnet and the sieves will enable people to sift possible micrometeorites from other materials," Grimes added.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

As it happens, however, there is a direct precedent under U.S. law, well known to the drafters of the 14th Amendment, explaining that the demands of allegiance attach even to temporary or unlawful entrants.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

Good grades or not, an image began to attach itself to Bobby.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

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