Keep async vocabulary questions moving
A DM can arrive while you are focused elsewhere. Notis can look up the requested word and return the answer in the conversation.
Trigger
Direct Message Received
Triggered when a new direct message (DM) is sent to a user in Slack. Catches all DMs across all DM channels.
Action
Get Word Definition V2
Tool to retrieve definitions, phonetics, origin, and meanings of a given word using freedictionaryapi v2. use when you need comprehensive lexical data for a specific word.
Why this helps
Async questions can become mental reminders to revisit later, creating a queue of small unfinished tasks.
- Close a small vocabulary loop without adding a reminder to your mental list.
- Keep the answer in the same asynchronous conversation.
- Reduce manual search and follow-up.
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Slack and Dictionary api to Notis once in the portal.
- 2Create an automation with a plain-language instruction to define words explicitly queried in DMs and reply in that DM conversation.
- 3Select Direct Message Received as the trigger.
- 4Choose a channel for run reports and test with an async DM asking for one word's meaning.
Questions about this workflow
Does this monitor only direct messages?
Yes. The selected trigger is Direct Message Received, which covers Slack DMs.
Can the lookup be limited to direct definition requests?
Yes. Make that condition explicit in the prompt.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Slack to Dictionary api. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Slack triggers
Dictionary api actions
Recurring trigger
Notis starts this workflow on a schedule, such as daily, weekly, or during business hours.
Get Word Definition V2
Tool to retrieve definitions, phonetics, origin, and meanings of a given word using freedictionaryapi v2. use when you need comprehensive lexical data for a specific word.
Webhook trigger
Notis starts this workflow when an external tool or custom backend sends an HTTP request.
New Channel Created Trigger
Triggered when a new channel is created in Slack.
Channel Message Received
Triggered when a message is posted in a Slack channel (public, private, or multi-party IM). Does NOT match direct messages.
Direct Message Received
Triggered when a new direct message (DM) is sent to a user in Slack. Catches all DMs across all DM channels.
Message Reaction Added
Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Message Reaction Removed
Triggered when a reaction is removed from a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Reaction Added Trigger
DEPRECATED: use `SLACK_MESSAGE_REACTION_ADDED` instead. Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack.
Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
Slack and Dictionary api, or any other combination from 1,000+ integrations.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
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