Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

attach

[uh-tach]

Example Sentences Origin

verb (used with object)

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.

Military. to 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.

EXPAND

to bind by ties of affection or regard: You always attach yourself to people who end up hurting you.

Law. to take (persons or property) by legal authority.

Obsolete. to lay hold of; seize.

COLLAPSE

verb (used without object)

to adhere; pertain; belong (usually followed by to or upon): No blame attaches to him.

00:10

00:09

00:08

00:07

00:06

00:05

00:04

00:03

00:02

00:01

Attach is one of our favorite verbs.

So is lollygag. Does it mean:

to spend time idly; loaf.

to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.

LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Origin:
1300–50; Middle English atachen < Anglo-French atacher to seize, Old French atachier to fasten, alteration of estachier to fasten with or to a stake, equivalent to estach(e) (< Germanic *stakka stake) + -ier infinitive suffix

Related forms

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

Can be confused: attach, attaché.

Synonyms
1. subjoin, append, add, annex.

Antonyms
1. detach.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source

Link To ATTACH

Example Sentences

Attach the scrap paper by folding up the lowest part of the short side that you scored over the scrap paper.

Attach the patch piece by drilling pilot holes at an angle through the mitered ends of the patch and old fascia boards.

Cut the floss and attach the end to the piece of double-sided tape.

EXPAND

Collins

World English Dictionary

attach (əˈtætʃ)

—vb (foll by to)
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.	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

[C14: from Old French atachier to fasten, changed from estachier to fasten with a stake, from estachestake¹]

at'tachable

—*adj*

at'tacher

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

attach

early 14c., "to take or seize (property or goods) by law," a legal term, from O.Fr. estachier "to attach" (Fr. attacher, It. attaccare), perhaps from a- "to" + Frank. *stakon "a post, stake" or a similar Gmc. word (see stake (n.)). Meaning "to fasten, affix, connect" is first

EXPAND

attested 1802, from French.

COLLAPSE

American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

attach

see no strings attached.

Partners:Word Bloglines Citysearch The Daily Beast Ask Answers Ask Kids Life123 Sendori Thesaurus

About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help