ENGLISH
REFERENCE

trolling

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈtɹoʊɫɪŋ// UK //tɹˈəʊlɪŋ// trolling

n. the act of posting mean or annoying comments online to upset people or start an argument. It is also a way of fishing by pulling a line behind a moving boat.

n. the practice of posting inflammatory or off-topic messages in an online community with the intent of provoking an emotional response. In a maritime context, refers to a method of fishing where one or more baited lines are drawn through the water behind a moving vessel.


SIMPLE

Online trolling can be very hurtful to people.

CONTEXTUAL

The moderator banned several accounts for persistent trolling and harassment in the comments section.

Synonyms
Usage

Uncountable when referring to the online behavior; can be countable when referring to specific fishing trips or techniques.

Pitfall

He is a trollingHe is a trollLearners often confuse the action (trolling) with the person performing it (a troll).

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