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

These customer interactions are a treasure trove of data, which makes organizations data-rich. —Tom Lewis, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Last time, the comments section was a treasure trove of thoughtful notes, awesome theories, and delightful conversation. —Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025

Joy Behar's famously (and notoriously) interruptive cell phone apparently also contains a treasure trove of celebrity secrets, as one stranger found out upon finding the device after the comedian previously lost it. —EW.com, 17 Jan. 2025

Macy Eleni is a stylist, digital creator, and author of Second Chances: The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting, known for her thrift-toks and finding treasure troves of vintage in LA’s estate sales. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French tresor trové, literally, found treasure

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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.