treat
to act or behave toward (a person) in some specified way: to treat someone with respect.
to consider or regard in a specified way, and deal with accordingly: to treat a matter as unimportant.
to deal with (a disease, patient, etc.) in order to relieve or cure.
to deal with in speech or writing; discuss.
to deal with, develop, or represent artistically, especially in some specified manner or style: to treat a theme realistically.
to subject to some agent or action in order to bring about a particular result: to treat a substance with an acid.
to entertain; give hospitality to: He treats diplomats in the lavish surroundings of his country estate.
to provide food, entertainment, gifts, etc., at one's own expense: Let me treat you to dinner.
to deal with a subject in speech or writing; discourse: a work that treats of the caste system in India.
to give, or bear the expense of, a treat: Is it my turn to treat?
to carry on negotiations with a view to a settlement; discuss terms of settlement; negotiate.
entertainment, food, drink, etc., given by way of compliment or as an expression of friendly regard.
anything that affords particular pleasure or enjoyment.
the act of treating.
one's turn to treat.
Origin of treat
1Other words from treat
- treater, noun
- non·treat·ed, adjective
- o·ver·treat, verb
- self-treated, adjective
- un·treat·ed, adjective
- well-treated, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use treat in a sentence
What is most troubling is our – and I do mean “our” and not “their” – never treating these situations as learning opportunities.
White people and nonblack people of color have the luxury of treating these cases as injustices.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting | Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIf they are treating black people differently, then how can that not affect the president?
It’s Not Just the Cops—Racism Is a Problem for the Secret Service, Too | Bill Conroy | December 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe government should be asking the relatives of Alan Turing to pardon them for treating him so appallingly!
Charles Dance on Tywin Lannister’s S5 Return, A ‘Game of Thrones’ Movie,’ and Sexy Peter Dinklage | Marlow Stern | November 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnother aunt recalled something Laylah had said to her when they went trick-or-treating on Halloween just a few days before.
11 Children Shot in Milwaukee, One in Her Grandpa's Lap | Michael Daly | November 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Vegetable caseine is best obtained by treating peas or beans with hot water, and straining the fluid.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry | Thomas AndersonThe Rushmeres if not contented were resigned, and both united in treating Dorothy with kindness and consideration.
The World Before Them | Susanna MoodieThe Scot has a way of treating his Creator very much as if He were the next-door neighbour.
Friend Mac Donald | Max O'RellThis important inquiry we shall answer, and find a remedy in when treating of the emigration of the colored people.
Treating of prayer, some theological authors demand, above all, the intention of praying.
Mary, Help of Christians | Various
British Dictionary definitions for treat
/ (triːt) /
a celebration, entertainment, gift, or feast given for or to someone and paid for by another
any delightful surprise or specially pleasant occasion
the act of treating
(tr) to deal with or regard in a certain manner: she treats school as a joke
(tr) to apply treatment to: to treat a patient for malaria
(tr) to subject to a process or to the application of a substance: to treat photographic film with developer
(tr ; often foll by to) to provide (someone) (with) as a treat: he treated the children to a trip to the zoo
(intr usually foll by of) formal to deal (with), as in writing or speaking
(intr) formal to discuss settlement; negotiate
Origin of treat
1Derived forms of treat
- treatable, adjective
- treater, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with treat
In addition to the idiom beginning with treat
- treat like dirt
also see:
- Dutch treat
- trick or treat
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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