internet troll

Meaning

An internet troll is someone who intentionally posts annoying, offensive, or provocative messages online to upset others or start arguments. This term is used casually across social media, forums, and comment sections. The best way to handle them is usually to ignore them.

Examples

• Don't reply to that comment; he's just an internet troll trying to get a reaction out of you.

  Don't reply to that comment; he's just an internet troll trying to get a reaction out of you.

• The forum moderator banned several internet trolls who were ruining the discussion.

  The forum moderator banned several internet trolls who were ruining the discussion.

• I used to argue with every internet troll I saw, but now I just block them immediately.

  I used to argue with every internet troll I saw, but now I just block them immediately.

• Some internet trolls spend hours posting negative reviews on products they've never even bought.

  Some internet trolls spend hours posting negative reviews on products they've never even bought.

• She realized the mean comments on her video were just from an internet troll, so she didn't take them personally.

  She realized the mean comments on her video were just from an internet troll, so she didn't take them personally.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He is a troll of internet.

  ✓ He is an internet troll.

  'Internet' acts as a noun adjunct modifying 'troll', so it goes directly before the noun without the preposition 'of'.

• ✗ Don't feed the internet troller.

  ✓ Don't feed the internet troll.

  While 'trolling' is the action, the person doing it is called a 'troll', not a 'troller'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Ignore those mean comments on your post; it's just some ___ trying to ruin your day.

  💡 An online troublemaker.

  Show answer

  internet troll

• If you argue with an ___, you are giving them exactly what they want.

  💡 Someone who posts provocative things online to get attention.

  Show answer

  internet troll