fasten
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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)
-
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
- fastener noun
- refasten verb (used with object)
- well-fastened adjective
Etymology
Origin of fasten
before 900; Middle English fastenen, Old English fæstnian; cognate with Old Norse fastna to betroth; akin to fast 1
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.
The guard had paused to unstrap a long military cape fastened to the shoulder of her uniform.
From Literature
Upon walking up to the vehicle, the officer saw the “passenger” was a jacket wrapped around the front seat with a seat belt fastened to resemble a person.
From Los Angeles Times
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
I described the hinge that never quite fastened, the edges that didn’t line up, and the paint that dried a little bumpy—so many imperfections that usually would have bugged me but didn’t.
From Literature
The $2,500 check I carried in my parka, fastened to the lining with a safety pin.
From Literature
Definitions 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.
