Looking up...
attend
/əˈtɛnd/
to go to or be present at an event or place
She decided to attend the conference to learn about new technologies.
She went to the conference to gain knowledge about new developments.
general
to be present at an event, meeting, or place
Students must attend all classes to pass the course.
Students need to be present in all classes to successfully complete the course.
He attended the wedding ceremony of his childhood friend.
He was present at the wedding of someone he had known since childhood.
Commonly used for formal or informal gatherings, classes, or events.
general
to take care of or look after someone or something
The nurse attended to the patient's needs carefully.
The nurse took care of the patient's needs with attention.
She attended to her garden every weekend.
She took care of her garden regularly on weekends.
Often used in contexts involving care or attention to detail.
Collocations
attend a meetingto go to a meetingattend schoolto go to school regularlyattend to businessto focus on work or responsibilities
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'attend' depends on the context. In formal settings, it usually means 'to be present', while in care contexts, it means 'to take care of'.
Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'attend' for formal events like conferences or meetings. For informal gatherings, you can also say 'go to'.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'attenden', from Old French 'atendre', from Latin 'attendere' meaning 'to stretch toward, pay attention to'.
Usage Notes
The verb 'attend' can mean both 'to be present at' and 'to take care of'. The context usually clarifies the intended meaning.
Word Breakdown
at
toward or in the direction of
prefixtend
to stretch or reach
rootEnglish Dictionary