# attach

/əˈtætʃ/ (US) · /ɐtˈætʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/attach
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to fasten or join

verb · CEFR B1

to join or fasten one thing to another thing.

For teachers: to fasten, join, or connect one object to another. Transitive — requires a direct object and often takes the preposition 'to'.

- You need to attach the label to the box before you send it.
- The technician used a specialized adhesive to attach the sensor to the outer casing of the engine.

### 2. digital files

verb · CEFR A2

to add a document or photo to an email or message.

For teachers: to include a computer file as an attachment to an electronic communication.

- Don't forget to attach your CV to the job application email.
- The system will not allow you to send the message if you attempt to attach a file that exceeds twenty megabytes.

### 3. to attribute importance

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to believe that something has a particular quality or importance.

For teachers: to ascribe or attribute a particular quality, value, or importance to something. Often used with 'importance', 'weight', or 'significance'.

- Many people attach great importance to their first impressions of a person.
- Sociologists often attach significant weight to early childhood environments when analyzing long-term educational outcomes.

### 4. emotional bond

verb · CEFR B2

to become emotionally close to someone or something.

For teachers: to bind by ties of affection, loyalty, or self-interest. Usually appears in the passive voice or as a past participle adjective.

- The children quickly became attached to their new puppy.
- Having lived in the coastal village for over thirty years, he found himself deeply attached to the local community and its traditions.

### 5. legal operation

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

to become a legal reality or to start being active in a legal way.

For teachers: to come into legal operation or to take effect as a right or liability. Intransitive in this technical sense.

- The new tax rules will attach to any property sold after January.
- Liability for the debt does not attach to the new owner unless the contract specifically mentions the previous arrears.

Usage: The verb is intransitive in this sense and takes the preposition 'to'.

## Examples

- Please attach the photo to your application.
- You should attach the receipt to the expense report before submitting it to the finance office.
- The legal team will attach the signed affidavits to the main motion to ensure the judge has all the necessary evidence before the hearing begins.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.