fas ‧ ten /ˈfɑːs ə n $ ˈfæ-/ BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ fasten ≠ ↑ unfasten ; noun : ↑ fastener ]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: fæstnian ; related to ⇨ ↑ fast 2 ]
1 . CLOTHES/BAG ETC ( also fasten up )
a) [transitive] to join together the two sides of a coat, shirt, bag etc so that it is closed SYN do up OPP unfasten :
‘I’m going now,’ she said, fastening her coat.
Fasten your seat belt.
b) [intransitive] to become joined together with buttons, hooks etc SYN do up :
I was so fat that my skirt wouldn’t fasten.
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In everyday British English, people usually say do up rather than fasten :
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Do up your jacket – it’s cold.
2 . WINDOW/GATE ETC [intransitive and transitive] to firmly close a window, gate etc so that it will not open, or to become firmly closed OPP unfasten :
Make sure all the windows are securely fastened before you leave.
3 . ATTACH SOMETHING TO SOMETHING [transitive] to attach something firmly to another object or surface
fasten something with something
Fasten the edges of the cloth together with pins.
fasten something to something
They fastened the rope to a tree.
4 . HOLD SOMETHING TIGHTLY [intransitive and transitive] to hold something firmly with your hands, legs, arms, or teeth
fasten something around/round something
She fastened her arms around his neck.
fasten around/round
A strong hand fastened round her wrist.
fasten on/onto
Their long claws allow them to fasten onto the rocks and hold firm.
5 . fasten your eyes/gaze on somebody/something to look at someone or something for a long time:
He rose, his eyes still fastened on the piece of paper.
6 . fasten your attention on somebody/something to think a lot about one particular thing or person:
He was working quietly, all his attention fastened on the task.
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THESAURUS
▪ fasten to join together the two sides of a piece of clothing, bag, belt etc:
He fastened the necklace behind her neck.
▪ attach to fasten something firmly to another object or surface, using screws, nails, tape, glue etc:
The boards were attached with screws.
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The prisoner was attached to the wall with chains.
▪ join to connect or fasten things together:
Join the pieces using a strong glue
▪ glue to join things together using glue:
Glue the fabric to the white card.
▪ tape to fasten something using tape:
The students' name cards were taped to the table.
▪ staple to fasten something using ↑ staple s (=a small piece of wire that is pressed through paper using a special machine) :
Don't staple your resumé to your cover letter.
▪ clip to fasten things together using a ↑ clip (=a small metal object) :
A photo was clipped to the letter.
▪ tie to fasten a tie, shoelaces etc by making a knot:
Don't forget to tie your shoelaces!
▪ do something up especially British English to fasten a piece of clothing or the buttons etc on it:
The teacher doesn't have time to do up every child's coat.
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Let me do it up for you.
▪ button (up) to fasten a shirt, coat etc with buttons:
His shirt was buttoned right to the top.
▪ zip (up) to fasten a piece of clothing, a bag etc with a ↑ zip :
Zip up your jacket, it's cold.
▪ buckle (up) to fasten a seat belt, belt, shoe etc that has a ↑ buckle (=small metal object that fits through a hole in a strap) :
The little girl struggled to buckle her shoes.
▪ unfasten/untie/undo/unbutton/unzip to open something that is fastened:
Do not unfasten your seatbelt until the car has stopped completely.
fasten on/upon something phrasal verb
to give particular attention to something because you think it is important or interesting:
My mother fastened on the word ‘unsafe’.
fasten onto somebody/something ( also fasten on to somebody/something ) phrasal verb
1 . to give particular attention to something because you think it is important or interesting
2 . to follow someone and stay with them, especially when they do not want you to SYN latch onto somebody :
The dog seemed lost and fastened onto us.