attach
verb
at·tach ə-ˈtach 
attached; attaching; attaches
transitive verb
1
: to take by legal authority especially under a writ
attached the property
2
a
: to bring (oneself) into an association
attached herself to their cause
b
: to assign (an individual or unit in the military) temporarily
3
: to bind by personal ties (as of affection or sympathy)
was strongly attached to his family
4
: to make fast (as by tying or gluing)
attach a label to a package
5
: to associate especially as a property or an attribute : ascribe
attached great importance to public opinion polls
6
: to include and send (a separate document or file) with an electronic message (such as an email or text message)
Unlike … some other social networking hubs, Beejive allows you to attach photos or videos to a message, or download files from messages, just as you would via e-mail.
Bob Tedeschi
Bob Tedeschiintransitive verb
: to become attached : adhere
attachable
ə-ˈta-chə-bəl
adjective 
Synonyms
- affix
- bend
- fasten
- fix
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
I've attached an application to the brochure for you. She attached a note to the package. I attached the file to the e-mail. The handle attaches here on the top.
Recent Examples on the Web Buy a box fan of the same size — 20 by 20 inches — and attach it to the top of the cube. Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 12 Sep. 2022 Outdoor curtains can be used anywhere as long as there's a place to install a rod and attach them. Rachel Dube, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2022 New Jersey: Complete a record request and attach it to an online form, along with a form of personal identification. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 16 Aug. 2022 The females reproduce under the shell cover and the nymphs (crawlers) emerge in the spring and summer from their covers and attach themselves to the cane to feed. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2022 It’s designed with windproofing in mind as well, with hook-and-loop straps to attach it securely to the frame of your machine. Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 30 July 2022 Mussels, for instance, secrete adhesive proteins to attach themselves to wet surfaces, while frogs have uniquely structured toe pads that create capillary and hydrodynamic forces for adhesion. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 July 2022 Next, peel the adhesive backing off and firmly attach it to the wall, carefully squeezing out all air bubbles. Heath Owens, Good Housekeeping, 28 July 2022 Epstein’s Zelig-like ability to attach himself to wealthy targets in that New York money-fashion-industrial complex is chilling. Meredith Blakestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 See More
Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 12 Sep. 2022 Outdoor curtains can be used anywhere as long as there's a place to install a rod and attach them. Rachel Dube, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2022 New Jersey: Complete a record request and attach it to an online form, along with a form of personal identification. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 16 Aug. 2022 The females reproduce under the shell cover and the nymphs (crawlers) emerge in the spring and summer from their covers and attach themselves to the cane to feed. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2022 It’s designed with windproofing in mind as well, with hook-and-loop straps to attach it securely to the frame of your machine. Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 30 July 2022 Mussels, for instance, secrete adhesive proteins to attach themselves to wet surfaces, while frogs have uniquely structured toe pads that create capillary and hydrodynamic forces for adhesion. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 July 2022 Next, peel the adhesive backing off and firmly attach it to the wall, carefully squeezing out all air bubbles. Heath Owens, Good Housekeeping, 28 July 2022 Epstein’s Zelig-like ability to attach himself to wealthy targets in that New York money-fashion-industrial complex is chilling. Meredith Blakestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French attacher, alteration of Old French estachier, from estache stake, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English staca stake
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
attach
verb
at·tach ə-ˈtach
attached; attaching
1
: to fasten or join one thing to another
The boy attached a bell to his bicycle.
2
: to bind by feelings of affection
… Marty's got awful attached to that dog … Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh3
: to think of as belonging to something
Attach no importance to his remark.
Legal Definition
attach
verb
at·tach
transitive verb
1
: to obtain a court order against (property of another person) that directs an officer of the court (as a sheriff) to seize or take control of the property compare garnish, levy
Note: A plaintiff may attach a defendant's property as a way of obtaining jurisdiction for the purpose of bringing a lawsuit or to prevent the defendant from getting rid of property that may be needed to pay a judgment to the plaintiff.
2
: to join or make a part of
affidavits attached to the suit Rosalind Resnick
Rosalind Resnick3
: to create a security interest in (property) and so acquire the right to foreclose on or otherwise deal with property for payment of a debt and to exercise one's rights in the property against third parties see also security interest at interest sense 1 compare perfect
intransitive verb
: to become effective: as
a
: to come into existence as a security interest
from the date the interest attaches
b
: to become operative especially as a right
the right to counsel attaches only at or after the initiation of adversary judicial proceedings United States v. Gouveia, 467 U.S. 180 (1984)
see also jeopardy United States v. Gouveia, 467 U.S. 180 (1984)attach
verb
1
as in to affix
to cause (something) to hold to another you can attach the buttons to the puppet with fabric glue Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- affix
- tie
- glue
- connect
- fasten
- clip
- strap
- adhere
- link
- bend
- hang
- pin
- fix
- stick
- screw
- harness
- clamp
- tackle
- rivet
- latch
- toggle
- tack
- staple
- paste
- clasp
- clinch
- shackle
- cinch
- yoke
- nail
- clench
- lash
- plaster
- unite
- join
- bolt
- button
- lace
- reattach
- hasp
- coapt
- refasten
- resecure
- reaffix
- batten
- refix
- belay
- do up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- detach
- undo
- unhook
- unfasten
- separate
- split
- divide
- sever
- disconnect
- dissociate
- part
- uncouple
- loosen
- break up
- divorce
- disunite
- loose
- sunder
- unlink
- untie
- dissever
- disjoin
- unyoke
- unbind
- disjoint
- unfix
- unlash
2
as in to appoint
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty attached the colonel to the new regiment Synonyms & Similar Words
- appoint
- nominate
- assign
- constitute
- name
- designate
- commission
- place
- create
- induct
- authorize
- detail
- choose
- install
- select
- delegate
- elect
- inaugurate
- consecrate
- ordain
- deputize
- anoint
- make
- depute
- institute
- invest
- crown
- instate
- destine
- throne
- enthrone
- draft
- handpick
- single (out)
- vote (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dismiss
- remove
- expel
- discharge
- fire
- displace
- eject
- unseat
- throw out
- depose
- dethrone
- oust
- evict
- overthrow
- unmake
- uncrown
- blackball
3
as in to confiscate
to take ownership or control of (something) by right of one's authority attached the house for nonpayment of property taxes Synonyms & Similar Words
- confiscate
- usurp
- preempt
- appropriate
- seize
- sequester
- arrogate
- garnishee
- expropriate
- commandeer
- take over
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- render
- deliver
- relinquish
- release
- yield
- surrender
- forfeit
- give up
- cede
- hand over
- turn over
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of attach are affix, fasten, and fix. While all these words mean "to make something stay firmly in place," attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together.
attach the W-2 form here
The words affix and attach can be used in similar contexts, but affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing.
affix your address label here
In some situations, the words fasten and attach are roughly equivalent. However, fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing.
fasten the reins to a post
The synonyms fix and attach are sometimes interchangeable, but fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding.
fixed the stake in the ground