fasten

Word parts

fast + -en

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈfɑːsən/ or /ˈfɑːsn̩/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈfæsən/ or /ˈfæsn̩/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form fasten

Third-person singular fastens

Past tense fastened

Past participle fastened

Present participle fastening

1. (transitive) When you fasten a belt, a coat, a bag, etc., you join the two sides of it so it is closed.
   • Synonym: do up
   • Antonyms: unfasten and undo

   Please remain seated with your seat belts fastened.

   She fastened the gold chain around her neck.

   He fastened the top button of his shirt and chose a tie.

2. (transitive) If you fasten one thing to another, you attach them.

   The blackboard had been fastened to the front wall for years.

   The paper was fastened together with tape.

3. (transitive) If you fasten your eyes or gaze on something, you look at it carefully without looking away.

   The boy's eyes were fastened on the TV.

4. (intransitive) If something won't fasten, its buttons or hooks won't join.

   The shirt was so small that the buttons wouldn't fasten.

Related words

• fast
• unfasten