Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense trolls, present participle trolling, past tense, past participle trolled
1. countable noun
In Scandinavian mythology, trolls are creatures who look like ugly people. They live in caves or on mountains and steal children.
2. verb
If you troll somewhere, you go there in a casual and unhurried way.
[mainly British, informal]
I trolled along to see Michael Frayn's play, 'Noises Off'. [VERB preposition/adverb]
He rowed her ashore and then continued trolling around the lake. [VERB preposition/adverb]
3. verb
If you trollthrough papers or files, you look through them in a fairly casual way.
[mainly British, informal]
Trolling through the files revealed a photograph of me drinking coffee in the office. [VERB + through]
4. verb
If you troll someone, you deliberately try to upset them or start an argument with them, especially by posting offensive or unkind things on the internet.
[computing]
Instead of picking fights on the street they are at home, trolling people on theinternet. [VERB noun]
Derived forms
trollinguncountable noun
In no way do I agree with trolling or abuse on the internet.
troll in British English1
(trəʊl)
verb
1. angling
a.
to draw (a baited line, etc) through the water, often from a boat
b.
to fish (a stretch of water) by trolling
c.
to fish (for) by trolling
2.
to roll or cause to roll
3. archaic
to sing (a refrain, chorus, etc) or (of a refrain, etc) to be sung in a loud hearty voice
4. (intransitive) British informal
to walk or stroll
5. (intransitive) homosexual slang
to stroll around looking for sexual partners; cruise
6.
to post deliberately inflammatory messages about (someone) online
noun
7.
the act or an instance of trolling
8. angling
a bait or lure used in trolling, such as a spinner
9.
a person who posts deliberately inflammatory messages online
Derived forms
troller (ˈtroller)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French troller to run about; related to Middle High German trollen to run with short steps
troll in British English2
(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
C19: from Old Norse: demon; related to Danish trold
troll in American English1
(troʊl)
verb transitive
1.
to roll; revolve
2.
a.
to sing the parts of (a round, catch, etc.) in succession
b.
to sing lustily or in a full, rolling voice; chant merrily
3.
a.
to trail (a lure, bait, etc.) through the water in fishing from a slowly moving boat
b.
to fish in (a lake, etc.) by this method
verb intransitive
4. Rare
a.
to speak fast
b.
to wag
said of the tongue
5.
to sing in a round, catch, etc.
6.
a.
to sing lustily or in a full, rolling voice
b.
to be uttered in such a voice
7.
to fish with bait or a lure trailed on a line behind a slowly moving boat
8.
to roll, spin, or whirl
noun
9.
a song having parts sung in succession; round
10.
a.
the method of trolling in fishing
b.
a lure, or a lure and line, used in trolling
Derived forms
troller (ˈtroller)
noun
Word origin
ME trollen, to roll, troll, wander, prob. < MFr troller < ? MHG trollen, to walk or run with short steps: see troll2
troll in American English2
(troʊl)
noun
Folklore
any of a race of supernatural beings, variously conceived of as giants or dwarfs, living underground or in caves
Word origin
ON, prob. < *truzla < IE *dreu-, var. of base *drā-, to run > trap1, MHG trollen, to run with short steps, Ger trolle, wench: readopted < Norw by 19th-c. antiquaries
Examples of 'troll' in a sentence
troll
At first glance he may have seemed the perfect soft target for online trolls.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Name me a troll who has gone to prison?
The Sun (2017)
And the star called for social networks to crack down on sick trolls.
The Sun (2014)
Or was it the stone trolls who live in the quarry?
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
Vicious trolls branded her ugly and told her to die.
The Sun (2013)
But vile internet trolls flocked to mock the dad of two.
The Sun (2012)
Other females targeted by trolls include three MPs and three journalists sent bomb warnings.
The Sun (2013)
Better education and awareness of what to do when the trolls target must be a priority for Government.
The Sun (2013)
Many have spoken out to say the worst trolling comes not from misogynist men, but from fellow feminists.
The Sun (2014)
If Twitter fail to give sound guidance on this then they are accountable for the vile trolling that occurs.
The Sun (2013)
In the past year she has also been targeted by web trolls mocking her weight, dress sense and hairstyle.
The Sun (2012)
I have generally left troll comments in place, but many have asked me to block them.
Christianity Today (2000)
A TOP football ref has alerted cops after being targeted by internet trolls.