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 or upon ):

   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. intrfoll byto 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

Derived Forms

• atˈtacher, noun
• atˈtachable, adjective

Other Words From

• at·tacha·ble adjective
• at·tacher noun
• reat·tach verb
• reat·tacha·ble adjective
• unat·tacha·ble 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

Each card is signed by the player featured on it and has attached to it a special patch that player wore on his uniform during his first MLB game.

From Los Angeles Times

The team's neural network -- running on a small onboard embedded computer attached to the headphones -- tracks when different sounds reach each microphone.

From Science Daily

"There was a bit of excitement attached to getting a beauty calendar. It was something to share together around Christmas time. It's our little treat."

From BBC

The host acknowledged that regardless of who the winner is, people would project many different outcomes attached to them.

From Salon

State workers discovered golden mussels attached to equipment and buoys in the Port of Stockton last month while carrying out routine water quality tests.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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