Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Attachment Definition, Types & Usage Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：emotional bond (attachment)

attachment 🔊

/əˈtætʃmənt/

A strong feeling of liking or caring for someone or something.

Child hugging teddy bear showing emotional attachment

emotional bond 🔊

➕

/ɪˈmoʊʃənl bɑnd/

A strong feeling of affection or connection toward a person, object, or idea, often leading to a desire to keep or protect it.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

at- (to) + tach (fasten) + -ment (noun suffix); meaning 'the act of fastening or being fastened'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'attach' + 'ment' = a mental or digital bond. Visualize a paperclip (attachment icon) holding a file to an email.

📖 Example

The little boy felt a strong attachment to his old teddy bear and wouldn't go to sleep without it. 🔊 The little boy felt a strong attachment to his old teddy bear and wouldn't go to sleep without it.

🔗 Collocations

emotional attachment – A deep emotional bond to someone or something.

strong attachment – A very intense or powerful feeling of connection.

attachment to – The feeling of being attached to a specific person or thing.

🔄 Synonyms

affection (n.) – A gentle feeling of fondness or liking.

bond (n.) – A close connection or relationship between people or things.

devotion (n.) – Great love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for someone or something.

🚫 Antonyms

detachment (n.) – A state of being emotionally disconnected or uninvolved.

indifference (n.) – Lack of interest, concern, or feeling.

🌱 Derivatives

attach (v.) – To fasten or join something.

attached (adj.) – Feeling strong emotional connection.

detach (v.) – To separate or remove something from something else.

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin *attachare* (to fasten), via Old French *atachier*. Originally physical; by 18th century used for emotional bonds. In computing, 'file attachment' emerged in 1970s with email systems.

Meaning 2：email file (attachment)

attachment 🔊

/əˈtætʃmənt/

A computer file that is sent together with an email message.

Laptop screen with email attachment file icon

email file 🔊

➕

/ˈiːmeɪl faɪl/

A computer file that is sent along with an email message, often as a separate document or image.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I've sent you the report by email, and the detailed data is in the Excel file attachment. 🔊 I've sent you the report by email, and the detailed data is in the Excel file attachment.

🔗 Collocations

email attachment – A file sent with an email message.

file attachment – A file that is attached to a message.

attach a document – To include a document as an attachment in an email.

🔄 Synonyms

enclosure (n.) – A document or item sent with a letter or email, especially in formal contexts.

supplement (n.) – An additional item added to something, such as a file added to an email.

file (n.) – A digital document, image, or other data stored on a computer.

🌱 Derivatives

attach (v.) – To send a file together with an email.

attached (adj.) – Included as an attachment in an email.

detach (v.) – To remove a file from an email.