Word
fasten
Phoneticsfas·ten, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfæsən/
UK/fˈɑːsən/
Definitions
01to close or join
B1 · Intermediate
v. to close something by joining its parts together, like a coat or a seatbelt.
v. to join two parts of an object together securely, typically using a specific mechanism like a zipper, button, or buckle.
日本語:締める※
“Please fasten your seatbelt before the plane takes off.”
“The flight attendant reminded the passengers to fasten their seatbelts securely as the aircraft prepared for its final descent into the city.”
02to attach firmly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to fix one thing firmly to another thing so it stays in place.
v. to attach or fix an object firmly to a surface or another object to prevent movement.
日本語:止める※
“He used a long screw to fasten the shelf to the wall.”
“The carpenter used heavy-duty brackets to fasten the wooden beams to the masonry, ensuring the structure could withstand significant weight.”
03to focus attention
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to look at or think about one thing very closely.
v. to direct one's gaze or attention fixedly toward a specific object or idea.
“Her eyes fastened on the mysterious letter lying on the table.”
“The investigator's attention immediately fastened on the discrepancy in the financial records, sensing it was the key to the entire case.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fasten” in context.
Verb
01. fasten securely
“Make sure the lid is fastened securely so the water doesn't leak out.”
verb + adv
02. fasten the buttons
“It was so cold that he had to fasten the buttons on his heavy coat.”
verb + noun
03. fasten the gate with a chain
“The farmer fastened the gate with a heavy chain to keep the cows in the field.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
04. fasten your seatbelt
“Please fasten your seatbelt before the plane takes off.”
verb + possessive + noun
Adverb
05. tightly fasten
“She tightly fastened the straps on her backpack before starting the hike.”
adv + verb
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. It is frequently followed by the preposition 'to' when describing the act of attaching one object to another.
Pitfall
fasten your seatbelt to the buckle
fasten your seatbelt
Fasten is often used alone with the object being closed; adding 'to the buckle' is redundant and sounds unnatural to native speakers.
Etymology
From Middle English fastenen, from Old English fæstnian, from Proto-West Germanic *fastinōn (“to secure, fasten”). Equivalent to fast + -en.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/fasten
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0