to make or become fast or secure to make or become attached or joined to close or become closed by fixing firmly in place, locking, etc - (tr; followed by in or up)
to enclose or imprison - (transitive) usually followed by on:
to cause (blame, a nickname, etc) to be attached (to); place (on) or impute (to) - usually followed by on or upon:
to direct or be directed in a concentrated way; fix - (intransitive) usually followed by on:
take firm hold (of)
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
fas•ten /ˈfæsən/USA pronunciation
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to attach firmly or securely in place or to something else;
connect:[~ + object]to fasten a light switch securely to the wall. - to (cause to) be secure, as an article of dress with buttons, clasps, etc., or a door with a lock, bolt, etc.: [~ + object]Fasten the window.[no object]This clasp won't fasten.
- to direct (the eyes, thoughts, etc.) intently;
focus attention: [~ + object]She fastened her eyes on him during the entire performance.[~ + on]His gaze fastened on the jewels.
fas•ten
(fas′ən, fä′sən),USA pronunciation v.t.
v.i.
- to attach firmly or securely in place;
fix securely to something else. - to make secure, as an article of dress with buttons, clasps, etc., or a door with a lock, bolt, etc.
- to enclose securely, as a person or an animal (usually fol. by in):to fasten a monkey in a cage.
- to attach, associate, or connect:to fasten a nickname on someone.
- to direct (the eyes, thoughts, etc.) intently:to fasten one's eyes on a speaker.
v.i.
- to become fast, fixed, or firm.
- to close firmly or securely;
lock:This clasp won't fasten. - to take a firm hold;
seize (usually fol. by on or upon):to fasten on an idea. - to focus attention;
concentrate (usually fol. by on or upon):His gaze fastened on the jewels.
- bef. 900; Middle English fastenen, Old English fæstnian; cognate with Old Norse fastna to betroth; akin to fast1
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged connect, link, hook, clasp, clinch, rivet, clamp, bind, tie, tether.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'not fastened' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):