- to join, fasten, or connect
- (reflexive or passive) to become associated with or join, as in a business or other venture: he attached himself to the expedition
- (intransitive) followed by to: to be inherent (in) or connected (with): responsibility attaches to the job
- to attribute or ascribe
- to include or append, esp as a condition: a proviso is attached to the contract
- (usually passive) to place on temporary duty with another unit
- to appoint officially
- to arrest or take (a person, property, etc) with lawful authority
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
at•tach /əˈtætʃ/USA pronunciation
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to fasten or affix;
join;
connect: [~ + object]to attach papers with a staple.[~ + object + to + object]She attached the check to the tax form. - [~ + object + to + object] to join in action or function;
make part of: He attached himself to the gang. - Military to place on temporary duty with a military unit:[~ + object + to + object]I was attached to the air division.
- [~ + object + to + object] to include as a condition of something: One proviso is attached to this agreement: you must tell no one about it.
- [~ + object + to + object] to connect;
attribute: I wouldn't attach any significance to his remark. - Law to take (persons or property) by legal authority:[~ + object]attached part of his paycheck.
- [~ + to + object] to adhere;
belong: No blame attaches to him.
at•tach
(ə tach′),USA pronunciation v.t.
v.i.
at•tach′a•ble, adj.
at•tach′er, n.
- to fasten or affix;
join;
connect:to attach a photograph to an application with a staple. - to join in action or function;
make part of:to attach oneself to a group. - Militaryto place on temporary duty with or in assistance to a military unit.
- to include as a quality or condition of something:One proviso is attached to this legacy.
- to assign or attribute:to attach significance to a gesture.
- to bind by ties of affection or regard:You always attach yourself to people who end up hurting you.
- Lawto take (persons or property) by legal authority.
- [Obs.]to lay hold of;
seize.
v.i.
- to adhere;
pertain;
belong (usually fol. by to or upon):No blame attaches to him.
- Gmc *stakka stake) + -ier infinitive suffix
- Anglo-French atacher to seize, Old French atachier to fasten, alteration of estachier to fasten with or to a stake, equivalent. to estach(e) (
- Middle English atachen 1300–50
at•tach′er, n.
- 1. subjoin, append, add, annex.
- 1. detach.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
attach /əˈtætʃ/ vb (mainly tr)
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'attach' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
adjoin
- affix
- aggregate
- annex
- append
- apply
- assign
- attaché
- attack
- bell
- belt
- bend
- Blu-tack
- clip
- crown
- detach
- dock
- etiquette
- fix
- flange
- garnish
- garnishee
- glom
- graft
- harness
- hinge
- karabiner
- latch on
- lath
- levy
- limber
- line
- nail
- paste
- pin
- remora
- screw
- sew
- sling
- stock
- subjoin
- tack
- tap
- ticket
- tie up
- wafer
- weight
- wheel clamp
- add
- adhibit
