Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense attaches, present participle attaching, past tense, past participle attached
1. verb
If you attach something to an object, you join it or fasten it to the object.
We attach labels to things before we file them away. [VERB noun to noun]
The gadget can be attached to any vertical surface. [beVERB-ed + to]
The astronauts will attach a motor that will boost the satellite into its properorbit. [VERB noun]
For further information, please contact us on the attached form. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: affix, stick, secure, bind More Synonyms of attach
2. verb
If someone attacheshimself or herself to you, they join you and stay with you, often without being invited to do so.
Natasha attached herself to the film crew filming at her orphanage. [VERB pronoun-reflexive + to]
3. verb
If people attach a quality to someone or something, or if it attachesto them, people consider that they have that quality.
The authorities attached much significance to his visit. [VERB noun + to]
...the magic that still attaches to the word 'spy'. [VERB + to]
...the stigma attached to mental illness. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: ascribe, connect, attribute, assign More Synonyms of attach
4. verb
If you attach conditions to something such as an agreement, you state that specific things must be done before the agreement is valid.
Banks do have the right to attach conditions to loans. [VERB noun + to]
Magistrates will be able to attach conditions when juveniles are remanded. [VERB noun]
5. verb
In computing, if you attach a file to a message that you send to someone, you send it with the message but separate from it.
It is possible to attach executable program files to e-mail. [VERB noun + to]
6. See also attached
7. no strings attached
attach in British English
(əˈtætʃ)
verb(mainly tr)
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. (intransitive; foll 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
attachable (atˈtachable)
adjective
attacher (atˈtacher)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French atachier to fasten, changed from estachier to fasten with a stake, from estachestake1
attach in American English
(əˈtætʃ)
verb transitive
1.
to fasten by sticking, tying, etc.
2.
to make (a person or thing) part of; join
often used reflexively
he attached himself to us
3.
to connect by ties of affection, attraction, etc.
4.
to add or affix (a signature, codicil, etc.)
5.
to ascribe
I attach great significance to the news
6.
to appoint by authority or order
7. Law
to take (property) into custody of a court by writ
8. Military
to join (troops, a unit, etc.) temporarily to some other unit
verb intransitive
9.
to be fastened or joined; adhere; belong
the advantages that attach to wealth
SIMILAR WORDS: asˈcribe, tie
Derived forms
attachable (atˈtachable)
adjective
Word origin
ME attachen < OFr atacher, altered by substitution of prefix < estachier, to attach < estache, a post, stake < Frank *stakka: see stick
Examples of 'attach' in a sentence
attach
I like to leave them attached so that people can rip them apart to eat them.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
She will have the power to block or approve the deal, or waive it through with conditions attached.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I was still attached to it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
People will also be able to monitor his progress online via a GPS unit attached to his wetsuit.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Other households are given between 7 and 11 a month without any conditions attached.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Mrs May's goal must be to establish a rapport with a president who attaches more importance to personal relations than policy detail.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
People become very attached to their pets.
Mumby, Keith The Allergy Handbook (1988)
The question therefore is how much importance ministers attached to security and how this was defined.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Various conditions are attached to the payment of each benefit.
Brown, Muriel & Payne Sarah Introduction to Social Administration in Britain (1990)
This judgment attaches too much significance to an essentially minor figure.
Ziegler, Philip King Edward VIII - The Official Biography (1990)
Now cut two shorter strips of tape and attach them either side of your nose.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This belief may cause them to attach no legal significance to the marriage ceremony.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The infant was rushed to hospital still attached to the bowl.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He will be attached to frontline units including fighter aircraft and search and rescue.
The Sun (2008)
Valid tickets must be attached to the vehicle or handed to the driver.
The Sun (2006)
It only becomes the biggest game of your career if you attach that importance to it.
The Sun (2015)
There are conditions attached to the receipt of unemployment benefits but they should be more stringent.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is many moves before any significance can be attached to this thrust.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The creature is well preserved and still has tusks attached to its skull.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But people become very attached to objects and derive solace from them.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But their peoples attached enormous symbolic importance to their presence.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The conditions attached to loans were often austere.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There are a lot of other women who go out on the ground if they are attached to units.
The Sun (2010)
Our solicitor brought this to our attention just prior to completion but did not attach much significance to it.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Because either it was attached, in which case it came loose somehow.
The Sun (2013)
You must remain attached, understand its complexities and know when to get into the detail.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Which was just as well because the button you'd just attached often came adrift again in a matter of moments.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
attach
British English: attach /əˈtætʃ/ VERB
If you attach something to an object, you join it or fasten it to the object.