treasure trove

noun

1

: treasure that anyone finds

specifically : gold or silver in the form of money, plate, or bullion which is found hidden and whose ownership is not known

2

: a valuable discovery, resource, or collection

Synonyms

• argosy
• cornucopia
• gold mine
• mine
• mother lode
• wellspring

Examples of treasure trove in a Sentence

Divers found a treasure trove of gold and silver in the wreckage of a ship that sank hundreds of years ago.

the ancient city, having been almost perfectly preserved under volcanic ash for nearly 2,000 years, is proving to be a treasure trove of archaeological information

Recent Examples on the Web

Best Overall Deals From handy outdoor gear to high-quality travel apparel, the REI outlet is a treasure trove of unbeatable finds. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2025

Etsy is a treasure trove of new and vintage Turkish styles, including subtypes that span neutral and colorful options. —Sarah Lyon, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025

From the tranquil Topsail area to the impressive Crystal Coast, North Carolina’s seashore is a treasure trove of beautiful places. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2025

Downtown Freehold Borough is a treasure trove of restaurants, and its crown jewel may be Aarzu Modern Indian Bistro. —USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French tresor trové, literally, found treasure

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for treasure trove

• alcove
• mangrove
• clove
• cove
• drove
• rove
• shrove
• stove
• strove
• throve
• wove

Kids Definition

treasure trove

noun

-ˌtrōv

1

: treasure of unknown ownership found buried or hidden

2

: a valuable discovery

Legal Definition

treasure trove

noun

-ˈtrōv

: treasure that anyone finds

specifically : gold or silver in the form of money, plate, or bullion that is found hidden and whose ownership is not known

Note: State law determines who is entitled to a treasure trove.