attach

verb

USuh-TACH/əˈtæt͡ʃ/

Formsattaches, attaching, attached

8 meanings of attach

Practice

1
verbtransitive
To join or fix one thing to another.
Like clipping two things together with a paperclip.
Attach the rope to the hook before you climb.
He attached the trailer to the back of his truck.
Similarconnect, join, fix, affix, fasten
Oppositedetach, separate, unfasten, disengage
Note
2
verbtransitive
To send a file or photo along with an email or message.
Like putting a letter inside an envelope before you mail it.
Don't forget to attach the file before you send the email.
She attached the spreadsheet to her message.
Similarinclude, enclose, append
3
verbintransitive
To stick or stay joined to a surface or object.
Like a magnet sticking to a fridge door.
The sticker attaches firmly to clean glass.
Barnacles attach to the bottoms of boats.
Similarstick, cling, adhere, bond, cleave
Oppositedetach
Note
4
verbtransitive
To link an idea, blame, or value to someone or something.
Like putting a label on something, but the label is an idea or feeling.
People attach great importance to first impressions.
She attached blame to the wrong person.
Similarattribute, ascribe, assign, give, place
Note
5
verbtransitive
To make someone feel close to a person or group, through love or because it helps them.
Kind teachers can attach students to learning for life.
His honesty attached people to him very quickly.
Similarbind, draw, endear, tie
Oppositealienate, estrange
Note
6
verbintransitive
To begin to apply as a legal rule, right, or duty.
Like a timer that starts the moment you press the button.
Liability attaches the moment the contract is signed.
These rights attach automatically when a baby is born.
Similarapply, arise, vest
Note

Less common meanings

7
verbobsolete
To arrest or take hold of a person using legal power.
The sheriff came to attach the debtor and bring him before the court.
The earl marshal attached Gloucester for high treason.
1868, Charlotte Mary Yonge, Cameos from English HistoryHere, attached means arrested by legal power.
Note
8
verbobsolete
To grab, seize, or take hold of something or someone.
Then homeward every man attach the hand / Of his fair mistress.
c. 1595, William Shakespeare, Love's Labour's LostHere, attach means take hold of, as in taking her hand.
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of attach apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came through Old French from a word meaning to bind, from a word for a stick or stake. It is related to "attack".