Attachment

/əˈtætʃmənt/

nounIntermediateVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A feeling of fondness or affection, especially a strong emotional tie between people.

/əˈtætʃmənt/

nounneutralIntermediate
General

A feeling of fondness or affection.

She felt a strong attachment to her homeland.

💡 Simply: A close feeling of love or connection.

More Examples

2

His attachment to his old car was surprising.

How It's Used

Psychology

"The child developed a strong attachment to her mother."

Relationships

"He felt a deep attachment to his friends."

2

A file or other data added to an email or document.

/əˈtætʃmənt/

nounneutralBeginner
Technology

Something attached to something else.

I sent the contract as an attachment.

💡 Simply: Something added to something else, like a file to an email.

More Examples

2

Remember to check the attachments.

How It's Used

Email

"Please find the attachment to this email."

Documents

"The attachment to the application was missing."

Tip:Think of something 'attached' to something else.

Idioms & expressions

have an attachment to

To have a strong emotional connection to something or someone.

"She has a strong attachment to her childhood home."

From Middle English *attachement, from Anglo-French *attachement, from Old French *attacher "to attach," from attache "attached thing," from Vulgar Latin *ad- + *taxare "to touch," related to Latin tangere "to touch."

The word 'attachment' has evolved from its original meaning of 'the action of attaching' to encompass the more abstract sense of emotional connection.

Memory tip

Think of 'attaching' yourself to someone you care about.

attachementatatchmentattacment

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written