Understand unfamiliar terms without leaving Slack
When a channel message asks what a word means, Notis can fetch its definition and report it where the question came up.
Trigger
Channel Message Received
Triggered when a message is posted in a Slack channel (public, private, or multi-party IM). Does NOT match direct messages.
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
A quick vocabulary question can pull a founder away from the work they were trying to finish.
- Resolve a vocabulary question in the thread that raised it.
- Avoid opening a separate search tab and losing your place.
- Give teammates a shared, clear meaning to work from.
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Slack and Dictionary api to Notis once in the portal.
- 2Open Automations and create an automation with a prompt to find words explicitly asked about and return their definitions in the originating channel.
- 3Select Slack Channel Message Received as the trigger.
- 4Choose a channel for run reports, then test with a real message asking what a specific word means.
Questions about this workflow
Does this define every word in every channel message?
The prompt should limit lookups to messages that explicitly ask for a word's meaning, so ordinary conversation does not generate unnecessary responses.
Where does the definition appear?
Tell Notis in the prompt to report the result in the channel where the question was posted.
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
Save your first hour today.
7-day trial of any paid plan, with 20$ of usage included.
No card. Works with personal or business Dictionary api.