Word
trolling
US/ˈtɹoʊɫɪŋ/
UK/tɹˈəʊlɪŋ/
Definitions
01online provocation
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Informal
n. the act of posting annoying or offensive messages online to make people angry.
n. the practice of posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community with the intent of provoking an emotional response.
“He realized that the angry comments were just trolling and decided to ignore them.”
“The moderator noted that the sudden influx of aggressive posts was a coordinated instance of trolling designed to derail the political discussion.”
Synonyms
02fishing technique
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Sports Technical
n. a way of fishing where you pull a baited line through the water behind a moving boat.
n. a method of angling where one or more fishing lines, baited with lures or bait fish, are drawn through the water behind a moving boat.
“We spent the morning trolling for salmon in the middle of the lake.”
“Successful trolling requires precise control of the boat's speed to ensure the lure mimics the movement of live prey at the correct depth.”
Pitfall
The ship was trolling for tuna with a giant net.
The ship was trawling for tuna with a giant net.
Do not confuse trolling (using a line) with trawling (using a large net).
Real-World Examples
“The president has been trolling Canada for weeks — from changing the name of Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America,’ to new maps on social media showing Canada and Greenland under the American flag.” “Canadians would be wise to spend less time reacting to the trolling and more time watching what comes next because things are likely about to get bumpy.” Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/trolling