What does attache mean?
An attache is a specialist assigned to serve on the staff of a diplomat, most often an ambassador, at an embassy or consulate. Unlike general diplomats, attaches are typically experts in a particular field — military matters, science, culture, commerce, or the press — which is why common titles include military attache, cultural attache, and press attache. The word derives from the French verb 'attacher', meaning to attach, since these officers were figuratively attached to a diplomatic mission rather than holding ambassadorial rank themselves. In everyday English, 'attache' also appears in 'attache case', a flat leather briefcase once standard equipment for professionals carrying papers. The term retains a formal, somewhat old-world flavor, evoking embassies, international postings, and mid-century office life. Writers use it to lend precision when naming a specific kind of diplomatic officer, and its French origin explains both its pronunciation and its occasional accent mark.
A person with special duties, typically an expert in a field such as military, cultural, or press affairs, assigned to a diplomatic mission abroad.
"The naval attache attended the fleet review on behalf of the ambassador."
Often written without the accent in modern English usage.
(in 'attache case') A flat, rectangular briefcase, usually of leather, designed for carrying business documents.
"He carried his notes in a scuffed brown attache."
Both the accented and unaccented plural forms are accepted; the accentless form is increasingly common in American English.
"The reception was crowded with attaches from a dozen embassies."
The word comes from the French verb 'attacher' — to attach — because these specialists were literally 'attached' to an embassy staff.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of attache
The English word 'attache' was borrowed directly from French, where it is the past participle of 'attacher', meaning 'to attach'. It entered diplomatic vocabulary in the early nineteenth century to describe officers attached to an ambassador's staff in a technical capacity. The same French root gives English the verbs 'attach' and 'detach' along with their related nouns, all tracing back through Old French to Vulgar Latin *stacticare, derived from Latin 'stare', meaning to stand.
Word family
Usage notes
In English, the word is often written without the accent ('attache'), though dictionaries traditionally record it with one. It carries a formal, professional register, associated with diplomacy, government service, and business travel.
Don't confuse with
'Attach' is the verb meaning to fasten or join one thing to another, while 'attache' is the noun for a diplomatic officer or a type of briefcase.