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Get help with a word named in a DM

When a teammate names a word they find unclear, Notis can fetch its dictionary entry and report useful details privately.

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

A word that feels hard to parse can turn a short DM into repeated searching and rereading.

  • Get the meaning of a named word in the same DM.
  • Use available phonetic details when they help with recognition.
  • Close the question without opening a separate reference site.

Setup

Build it in a few focused steps.

  • 1Connect Slack and Dictionary api to Notis once in the portal.
  • 2Create an automation with a prompt to look up a word explicitly named as unclear in a DM and return the definition plus available pronunciation details.
  • 3Select Direct Message Received as the trigger.
  • 4Choose a run-report channel and test with a DM naming one word and asking what it means.

Questions about this workflow

Are audio pronunciations guaranteed?

The available action retrieves definitions, phonetics, origin, and meanings. Ask for pronunciation details only when the returned entry includes them.

Will it guess a word from vague context?

Keep the prompt limited to clearly named words; ask for clarification when the requested word cannot be identified.

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.

TriggerScheduled

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.

ActionInstant

Webhook trigger

Notis starts this workflow when an external tool or custom backend sends an HTTP request.

TriggerInstant

New Channel Created Trigger

Triggered when a new channel is created in Slack.

TriggerInstant

Channel Message Received

Triggered when a message is posted in a Slack channel (public, private, or multi-party IM). Does NOT match direct messages.

TriggerInstant

Direct Message Received

Triggered when a new direct message (DM) is sent to a user in Slack. Catches all DMs across all DM channels.

TriggerInstant

Message Reaction Added

Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.

TriggerInstant

Message Reaction Removed

Triggered when a reaction is removed from a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.

TriggerInstant

Reaction Added Trigger

DEPRECATED: use `SLACK_MESSAGE_REACTION_ADDED` instead. Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack.

TriggerInstant

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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