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

Researchers at Vividion Therapeutics pinpointed a set of small molecules that permanently attach to the surface of PI3K near the spot where RAS would normally bind.

Read more on Science Daily

West Horsley Place is a 15th Century Grade I listed manor house in Surrey with a 400 acre estate attached.

Read more on BBC

"Having been a royal outcast for all these decades, she's learnt not to attach too much weight to things like that."

Read more on BBC

Prince Andrew, the embattled younger brother of King Charles III, announced Friday that he will no longer use his title of Duke of York or the royal honors attached to it.

Read more on Salon

“But it was hard for me. Every time she got attached to someone, a neighbor or a relative, I would suddenly have to tell her: ‘No, that’s it, we won’t see them again’.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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