troll

[ trohl ]

/ troʊl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR troll ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to sing or utter in a full, rolling voice.

to sing in the manner of a round or catch.

to fish for or in with a moving line, working the line up or down with a rod, as in fishing for pike, or trailing the line behind a slow-moving boat.

to move (the line or bait) in doing this.

to cause to turn round and round; roll.

Obsolete. to hand around, as a bowl of liquor at table.

Digital Technology. Informal.

to post inflammatory or inappropriate messages or comments on (the Internet, especially a message board) for the purpose of upsetting other users and provoking a response.
to upset or provoke (other users) by posting such messages or comments.

verb (used without object)

to sing with a full, rolling voice; give forth full, rolling tones.

to be uttered or sounded in such tones.

to fish by trolling.

to roll; turn round and round.

to move nimbly, as the tongue in speaking.

Digital Technology. Informal. to post inflammatory or inappropriate messages or comments online for the purpose of upsetting other users and provoking a response.

noun

a song whose parts are sung in succession; a round.

the act of trolling.

a lure used in trolling for fish.

the fishing line containing the lure and hook for use in trolling.

Digital Technology. Informal. a person who posts inflammatory or inappropriate messages or comments online for the purpose of upsetting other users and provoking a response.

Nearby words

trojan horse, trojan war, trojan women, the, troke, troland, troll, trolley, trolley bus, trolley car, trolley dolly, trolley line

Origin of troll

1350–1400; Middle English trollen to roll, stroll < Middle French troller to run here and there < Middle High German trollen walk or run with short steps

Related forms

troll·er, nounun·trolled, adjective

Can be confused

trawl troll

Definition for troll (2 of 2)

troll

[ trohl ]

/ troʊl /

noun

(in Scandinavian folklore) any of a race of supernatural beings, sometimes conceived as giants and sometimes as dwarfs, inhabiting caves or subterranean dwellings.

Slang. a person who lives or sleeps in a park or under a viaduct or bridge, as a derelict or poor person.

Origin of troll

First recorded in 1610–20, troll is from the Old Norse word troll demon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for troll

The problem, as Weaver and Clark explained, is that this group drools at the opportunity to troll something like ReaganBook.
ReaganBook Is the Latest Conservative #Fail|Gideon Resnick|July 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For many supporters of GOProud, being called a “troll” was a badge of honor.
Inside the Implosion of GOProud, the Right’s Most Notorious Pro-Gay Group|Tim Mak|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My wife used to work at the U.S. Department of Commerce – what if Aaron Alexis had decided to troll the hallways there?
Gun Crazy: No More 'Thoughts and Prayers'|Joshua DuBois|September 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In the first episode of his IFC show, Maron encounters an Internet troll who is critical of his podcast.
Meet Marc Maron: the Comedic Podcast Giant on His New IFC Show & More|Jean Trinh|May 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Violentacrez and his ilk were free to troll: to post objectionable, offensive garbage.
Why Gawker Should Lose Its War With Reddit|Alex Klein|October 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At the same moment the troll fell dead and turned into pieces of flint.
The Pink Fairy Book|Various
When he had done this the troll again said some words to him, and with that he became a raven, and flew high up into the air.
The Pink Fairy Book|Various
"It's all ready for me here, and I will eat," said the troll.
Folk Tales Every Child Should Know|Various
For pain will not troll off as pleasure doth, nor imitate it in its pleasing and tickling touches.
Essays and Miscellanies|Plutarch
The troll then gave the old man a sackful of money, and laden with this he betook himself homewards.
The Pink Fairy Book|Various

British Dictionary definitions for troll (1 of 2)

troll

/ (trəʊl) /

verb

angling

to draw (a baited line, etc) through the water, often from a boat
to fish (a stretch of water) by trolling
to fish (for) by trolling

to roll or cause to roll

archaic to sing (a refrain, chorus, etc) or (of a refrain, etc) to be sung in a loud hearty voice

(intr) British informal to walk or stroll

(intr) homosexual slang to stroll around looking for sexual partners; cruise

(intr) computing slang to post deliberately inflammatory articles on an internet discussion board

noun

the act or an instance of trolling

angling a bait or lure used in trolling, such as a spinner

computing slang a person who submits deliberately inflammatory articles to an internet discussion

Derived Forms

troller, noun

Word Origin for troll

C14: from Old French troller to run about; related to Middle High German trollen to run with short steps

British Dictionary definitions for troll (2 of 2)

troll

/ (trəʊl) /

noun

(in Scandinavian folklore) one of a class of supernatural creatures that dwell in caves or mountains and are depicted either as dwarfs or as giants

Word Origin for troll

C19: from Old Norse: demon; related to Danish trold

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

troll

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of troll

Related forms

Can be confused

Definition for troll (2 of 2)

troll

noun

Origin of troll

Examples from the Web for troll

British Dictionary definitions for troll (1 of 2)

troll

verb

noun

Derived Forms

Word Origin for troll

British Dictionary definitions for troll (2 of 2)

troll

noun

Word Origin for troll