pay dirt

noun

1
: earth or ore that yields a profit to a miner
2
: a useful or remunerative discovery or object

Examples of pay dirt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jalen Hurts finds pay dirt with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024 But nonetheless, no one found pay dirt. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 13 Dec. 2024 But, once again, the 49ers answered with a touchdown of their own, as Deebo Samuel found his way into pay dirt to retake the lead, 28-21. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 31 Dec. 2024 Jalen Hurts finds pay dirt with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for pay dirt

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pay dirt was in 1853

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Cite this Entry

“Pay dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pay%20dirt. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

pay dirt

noun
1
: earth or ore that produces a profit for a miner
2
: a useful or profitable discovery or object

More from Merriam-Webster on pay dirt

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