attachment
gb/ətˈæt͡ʃmənt/ us/ətˈæt͡ʃmənt/
A2
English
~ 4200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
file sent with an email
A file or picture you send with an email.
Usage pattern:
send [something] as an attachment
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'attachment' (a file sent with an email) with 'link' (a web address). They are not the same.
Synonyms
enclosure (More common in postal mail; slightly more formal.)
Collocations
email attachment
|send attachment
|open attachment
|download attachment
|attach a file
Themes
technology
|communication
|business
|work
Examples
- Please check the attachment for the full report.
- I forgot to include the attachment in my last email.
- The virus came from a suspicious email attachment.
- She sent her resume as a PDF attachment.
- The instructions are in the attachment below.
Learner examples
- I sent the photo as an attachment.
- Please open the attachment to see the plan.
- He forgot to add the attachment.
- There is a file in the attachment.
- I will send you the form as an attachment.
Noun
B1
state
2
emotional bond or affection
A strong feeling of love or liking for a person, place, or thing.
Usage pattern:
feel [an] attachment to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'attachment' (emotional) with 'commitment' (promise or duty). 'Attachment' is about feelings, not obligations.
Synonyms
affection (Emphasizes warmth and fondness; often less intense than 'attachment'.)
Antonyms
detachment (Refers to emotional distance or lack of involvement.)
Collocations
emotional attachment
|strong attachment
|develop attachment
|form an attachment
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has a deep attachment to her hometown.
- Children often form strong attachments to their caregivers.
- His attachment to the old house made it hard to sell.
- He felt an unexpected attachment to the stray dog.
- The soldier's attachment to his comrades was unbreakable.
Learner examples
- I have a strong attachment to my family.
- She feels an attachment to her school.
- The boy has an attachment to his toy.
- He has an attachment to his dog.
- They have an attachment to each other.
Noun
B1
entity
3
extra part for a device or tool
An extra part you can add to a machine or tool to do a special job.
Synonyms
accessory (Often used for decorative or functional additions; broader in scope.)
Collocations
vacuum cleaner attachment
|drill attachment
|camera attachment
Themes
technology
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This vacuum cleaner comes with several attachments for different surfaces.
- The drill has a sanding attachment for woodwork.
- She bought a special camera attachment for close-up shots.
- The blender’s whisk attachment is perfect for making cream.
- We need the brush attachment to clean the carpet.
Learner examples
- I use a brush attachment on my vacuum.
- The drill has many attachments.
- This camera has a zoom attachment.
- My blender has a whisk attachment.
- The tool comes with two attachments.
Noun
technical
C1
event
4
legal seizure of property
When the court takes someone's property because they owe money.
Synonyms
seizure (General term for taking possession; not always legal context.)
Collocations
order of attachment
|writ of attachment
Themes
law
|business
|finance
Examples
- The court issued an order of attachment against his assets.
- Attachment of property is common in debt recovery cases.
- The company faced an attachment of its bank accounts.
- Her lawyer tried to stop the attachment of her land.
- The writ of attachment was delivered yesterday.
Learner examples
- The court made an attachment of his car.
- Attachment of property happens if you do not pay debts.
- The bank got an order of attachment.
- They stopped the attachment of his house.
- Attachment is used to collect money owed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
attachment
IPA
GB/ətˈæt͡ʃmənt/
US/ətˈæt͡ʃmənt/
Syllables & stress
at - tach - ment (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tach)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: attachment
- Plural: attachment, attachments
Word family
Forms
attachments
noun
Core family
attach
verb A2
attached
adjective
Related words
detachable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
detachment
noun B2
Expressions
email attachment
1/imˈeɪl ətˈæt͡ʃmənt/
fixed phrase
file sent with email message
A file you send together with an email message.
Examples
- Please see the email attachment for details.
- I couldn't open the email attachment you sent me.
form an attachment
1/fˈɔɹm ən ətˈæt͡ʃmənt/
fixed phrase
develop emotional connection
To start feeling love or liking for someone or something.
Examples
- She quickly formed an attachment to her new puppy.
- Children often form attachments at school.
order of attachment
1/ˈɔɹdɚ əv ətˈæt͡ʃmənt/
fixed phrase
technical
court order to seize property
A paper from a court saying someone's property will be taken by law.
Examples
- The judge issued an order of attachment against his assets.
- An order of attachment was placed on the company's accounts.