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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In late September, trees don their rich autumn jewel tones, and visitors rush to Dahlonega in the North Georgia Mountains with the enthusiasm of the gold miners who hit pay dirt here in 1828. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2024 The plan seems to be: sell the pricey R1T pickup and R1S SUV (think: Model S price) for five years then hit pay dirt with a future high-volume, lower-cost vehicle, namely the future R2 (think: Model 3). Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Already, Russ and Michelle had hit pay dirt, encountering a Riversider named Beth Cawiezell doing yard work. Rick Montgomery, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024 But the 49ers asked the DMV for an extension and now have until May 31 to hit pay dirt or fumble the opportunity. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near pay dirt

Cite this Entry

“Pay dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pay%20dirt. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!