attach
gb/ətˈæt͡ʃ/ us/ətˈæt͡ʃ/
A2
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Fasten or join something
To connect or join one thing to another so they stay together.
Usage pattern:
to attach [something] to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'attach' with 'include' when talking about emails. 'Attach' means adding a separate file, not writing in the email body.
Synonyms
fasten (Stresses securing something so it will not come loose.)
|
connect (More general; can refer to physical or non-physical links.)
Antonyms
detach (Means to separate something that was joined or connected.)
Collocations
attach a file
|attach a photo
|attach a label
|attach importance
|attach a document
Themes
daily life
|technology
|work
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please attach the receipt to your expense report.
- She attached the photo to the email before sending it.
- The trailer is attached to the back of the truck.
- Attach the label to the package before shipping.
- He attached the hook to the wall for hanging coats.
Learner examples
- Attach the picture to the email.
- Please attach the paper to the wall.
- I attach my name tag to my shirt.
- Can you attach the rope to the boat?
- Attach the sticker to the box.
Verb
B2
action
2
Assign value or connection
To think that something has a certain value, quality, or meaning.
Usage pattern:
to attach [importance/significance/blame] to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'attach' literally here when the meaning is abstract; context is needed to understand it is figurative.
Synonyms
attribute (Formal; means to say that something is caused by or connected with something else.)
Antonyms
ignore (Means not giving importance or attention to something.)
Collocations
attach importance
|attach significance
|attach blame
Themes
emotions
|thinking
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We attach great importance to customer satisfaction.
- He attached no blame to her for the mistake.
- Some people attach too much value to appearances.
- The company attaches high priority to safety standards.
Learner examples
- I attach great value to honesty.
- They attach no blame to you.
- We attach importance to education.
- She attaches meaning to this symbol.
Verb
A2
action
3
Include a file with a message
To send a file together with an email or message.
Usage pattern:
to attach [file/photo/document] to [email/message]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'attach' in emails with 'paste'; 'paste' means placing content in the message body, not as a separate file.
Synonyms
enclose (Traditionally used for including something in physical mail; more formal.)
Antonyms
omit (Means to leave something out when sending.)
Collocations
attach a file
|attach a document
|attach a photo
Themes
technology
|communication
|work
Examples
- Please remember to attach the file before you click send.
- She attached several photos to the message.
- I forgot to attach my résumé to the application email.
Learner examples
- Please attach the photo to the email.
- I will attach my CV to this message.
- He attached a file for you.
Verb
B2
action
4
Assign someone temporarily to a group
To send someone to work with another group for some time.
Usage pattern:
to attach [someone] to [group/unit]
Synonyms
assign (General term for giving someone work or responsibility; not necessarily temporary.)
Antonyms
withdraw (Means to remove someone from an assignment.)
Collocations
attached to the embassy
|attached to the project team
Themes
work
|military
|business
Examples
- She was attached to the marketing team for six months.
- He was attached to the embassy as a translator.
- The officer was attached to the United Nations peacekeeping force.
Learner examples
- He is attached to our team this month.
- She is attached to the school for training.
- The soldier was attached to another unit.
Grammar
Dictionary form
attach
IPA
GB/ətˈæt͡ʃ/
US/ətˈæt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
at - tach (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tach)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: attach
- 3rd Person Singular: attaches
- Present Participle: attaching
- Past: attached
Word family
Forms
attaches
verb
attaching
verb
attached
verb
Core family
attachment
noun A2
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
detachable
adjective
detachment
noun B2
Expressions
attached file
1/ətˈæt͡ʃt fˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
File sent with an email/message
A document or picture sent together with an email or message.
Examples
- Please see the attached file for details.
- The report is in the attached file.
be attached to
1/bˈi ətˈæt͡ʃt tə/
fixed phrase
Have an emotional bond with something/someone
To feel that you like someone or something very much and do not want to lose them.
Examples
- She’s very attached to her grandmother and visits her every week.
- He became attached to the little dog during his stay.
attach importance to
1/ətˈæt͡ʃ ɪmpˈɔɹtəns tə/
fixed phrase
Consider something important
To think that something is important or has value.
Examples
- We attach great importance to customer feedback.
- We attach great importance to honesty in our company.
- She attaches little importance to fashion trends.
- The teacher attaches importance to regular attendance.