fasten

1 of 2

verb

fas·​ten ˈfa-sᵊn 

fastened; fastening ˈfa-sᵊn-iŋ 

ˈfas-niŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to attach especially by pinning, tying, or nailing

b

: to make fast and secure

c

: to fix firmly or securely

d

: to secure against opening

2

: to fix or set steadily

fastened her attention on the main problem

3

: to take a firm grip with

the dog fastened its teeth in the shoe

4

a

: to attach (oneself) persistently and usually objectionably

b

: to place forcefully : impose

fastened the blame on the wrong person

intransitive verb

1

: to become fast or fixed

2

a

: to take a firm grip or hold

b

: to focus attention

fastener

ˈfa-sᵊn-ər 

ˈfas-nər

noun

fastener

2 of 2

noun

fas·​ten·​er -s(ᵊ)nə(r) 

plural -s

: one that fastens: such as

a

: a device (as a button, hook and eye, zipper, or snap) that joins together separate parts or closes an opening (as on a garment)

b

: a device for holding shut or preventing opening

attached a chain fastener to the door

a catch fastener on a traveling bag

c

: a worker who fastens together the timbers, subassemblies, steel plates, and other parts in the construction of ships

Synonyms of fasten

Verb

• attach
• affix
• tie

Choose the Right Synonym for fasten

fasten, fix, attach, affix mean to make something stay firmly in place.

fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing.

fasten the reins to a post

fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding.

fixed the stake in the ground

attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together.

attach the W-2 form here

affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing.

affix your address label here

Examples of fasten in a Sentence

Verb

fastening clothes on a clothesline

He fastened the dog's leash to a post and went into the store.

two boards fastened together by nails

a decorative clasp that could be used to fasten a cape or cloak

a shoe that fastens with a buckle

This dress fastens in the back.

She twisted her hair into a bun and fastened it with bobby pins.

Make sure the lid is tightly fastened.

The lock was so damaged it wouldn't fasten.

He fastened his hands on my arm and wouldn't let go.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Using the midsection and not just the corners to fasten one across the body. —Diana Tsui, Footwear News, 11 June 2026

Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown. —Darleene Powells, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026

By the following morning, crews had worked quickly to fasten 18 letters to the institution’s marble facade. —Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026

Seashell earrings feel like a natural evolution for the kind of girls who, like me, grew up with a shell necklace securely fastened around their neck each summer. —Lidia Maseres, Glamour, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English fastnen, from Old English fæstnian to make fast; akin to Old High German festinōn to make fast, Old English fæst fast

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing fasten

• fasten on
• fasten onto

Rhymes for fasten

• bason
• casson
• assassin
• cytochalasin
• diapason

Kids Definition

fasten

verb

fas·​ten ˈfas-ᵊn 

fastened; fastening ˈfas-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: to attach or join by or as if by pinning, tying, or nailing

fasten clothes on a line

2

: to make fast : fix securely

fasten a door

3

: to fix or set steadily

fastened their eyes on the distant ship

4

: to become fixed or joined

the shoes fasten with a buckle

fastener

ˈfas-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun