treat
- 01 A2 Elementary
v.to behave toward someone or deal with something in a specific way.
v.to behave toward or deal with a person or thing in a specified manner. Transitive — requires an object and usually an adverbial of manner.
Simple“You should always treat other people with respect and kindness.”
In context“The manager was criticized for the way he treated his subordinates during the restructuring process.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
v.to give medical care to a person or an illness.
v.to provide medical or surgical care to a patient or to address a specific pathological condition.
Simple“The doctor used a new cream to treat the boy's skin allergy.”
In context“Medical professionals are exploring innovative ways to treat chronic inflammation without relying solely on traditional steroid therapies.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to buy or provide something special for someone else.
v.to provide someone with food, drink, or entertainment at one's own expense as a gesture of hospitality or celebration.
Simple“I will treat you to lunch since it is your birthday today.”
In context“To celebrate the successful merger, the CEO decided to treat the entire department to a weekend retreat at a luxury resort.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'to'.
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to use a chemical or a special process on something to change it.
v.to subject a substance or object to a chemical or physical process to improve its properties or achieve a specific result.
Simple“The wood was treated with a special oil to protect it from the rain.”
In context“The raw sewage must be treated extensively before it can be safely discharged back into the local river system.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
v.to write or speak about a subject in a serious way.
v.to deal with or discourse upon a subject in writing or speech. Often used with 'of' in older or very formal contexts.
Simple“The book treats the history of the city in great detail.”
In context“The final chapter of the thesis treats the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in modern surveillance states.”
- 06 A2 Elementary
n.something special that you do or buy for yourself or someone else.
n.an event, item, or entertainment that provides great pleasure, especially one that is infrequent or unexpected.
Simple“Going to the cinema was a real treat for the children.”
In context“After a grueling week of exams, a quiet afternoon at the spa felt like an absolute treat.”
Synonyms - 07 A2 Elementary
n.a small piece of food that tastes very good, often given to pets or children.
n.a small portion of food, often sweet or savory, given as a reward or consumed as an indulgence.
Simple“The dog sat patiently waiting for his owner to give him a treat.”
In context“The bakery specializes in artisanal treats that use organic honey instead of refined sugar.”
Usage treats women · generally treat · separately treat