attachment
uh-TATCH-munt
/əˈtætʃ.mənt/
An affection or emotional bond connecting one person or thing to another.
Can range from healthy emotional connection to psychological dependency.
The story behind the word. Rooted in the Frankish word for a stake or post. Just as animals were staked or tied to remain secure, humans began using the word metaphorically for emotional ties that bind people together.
Word relationships
- bond: Bond emphasizes mutual strength and unity, whereas attachment focuses on the connection felt by one toward another.
- affinity: Affinity suggests natural liking or likeness, whereas attachment implies an enduring psychological connection.
- detachment: Detachment is emotional distance or objective impartiality.
- alienation: Alienation refers to feeling isolated or estranged from others.
Commonly confused with
- attraction: Attraction is initial pull or charm, while attachment is an established emotional tie.
Word family
- attach (verb): To join or connect.
- attached (adjective): Joined or emotionally connected.
Collocations
- deep attachment
- emotional attachment
- attachment theory
Idioms & expressions
- attached at the hip
Example sentences
- "Infants develop a strong attachment to their primary caregivers during early developmental stages." Psychological discussion
- "He felt a deep emotional attachment to the old family home despite its ruined state." Personal reflection
Memory hook
ATTACHment ATTACHES your heart to someone else. The invisible cord that holds hearts together.
When not to use
Do not confuse emotional attachment with a physical document attached to an email unless context makes it clear.
Fun facts
- In developmental psychology, 'Attachment Theory' pioneered by John Bowlby transformed modern parenting practices.
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