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treat of

C1 formal inseparable transitive

To deal with or discuss a particular subject, especially in a book or formal text.

In plain English

To be about a topic, especially in a book or speech.

What does "treat of" mean?

One main meaning — here's how to use it.

1 C1 idiomatic formal

To have a particular subject as its theme or content, used of a text or discourse.

"The second volume treats of the philosophical implications of the discovery."

This book treats of the nature of the soul and its immortality.

inseparable
Usage tip

Largely archaic; found mainly in older literature and formal academic writing. Modern speakers would almost always use 'deal with', 'be about', or 'discuss' instead. Rarely used in contemporary speech.

Words that pair with "treat of"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

subject matter question theme topic issue

How to conjugate "treat of"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
treat of
I/you/we/they
3rd person
treats of
he/she/it
Past simple
treated of
yesterday
Past participle
treated of
have + pp
-ing form
treating of
continuous

Hear "treat of" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "treat of" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "treat of"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

address be about concern cover deal with discuss

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