Ogre vs. Troll: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Ogres are mythical creatures often depicted as large, hideous, man-eating beings, while trolls are mythical beings known for their ugliness, mischief, and dwelling under bridges or in caves.
Key Differences
Ogres, originating in European folklore, are typically portrayed as large, fearsome, solitary creatures with a taste for human flesh. Trolls, also from European folklore, are depicted as mischievous or malevolent beings, often living under bridges or in mountains.
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Ogres are often depicted as gigantic, brutish, and ugly, sometimes with characteristics like enormous heads or an appetite for humans. Trolls vary widely in descriptions, from dwarf-like to giant creatures, often with grotesque and distorted features.
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In literature and popular culture, ogres are frequently used as antagonists representing physical terror or brute force. Trolls, however, are often portrayed as cunning or tricksters, causing problems or guarding bridges.
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Ogres often symbolize pure physical menace or the embodiment of human fears. Trolls, on the other hand, can represent obstacles, deceit, or the darker aspects of nature.
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Modern interpretations of ogres have sometimes softened their image, portraying them as misunderstood or complex characters. Trolls, especially in digital culture, have also come to represent internet users who intentionally provoke or harass others.
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Comparison Chart
Physical Traits
Large, brutish, often man-eating.
Varies, from small to large, grotesque.
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Habitat
Solitary, in castles or mountains.
Under bridges, caves, or in the wilderness.
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Behavior
Predatory, often portrayed as unintelligent.
Mischievous, cunning, sometimes malicious.
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Modern Interpretation
Sometimes shown as misunderstood.
Expanded to include internet trolls.
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Ogre and Troll Definitions
Ogre
A cruel or terrifying person.
The tyrannical leader was often described as an ogre by his oppressed subjects.
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Troll
Someone who provokes others online for amusement.
He became known as a troll on the forums, always starting arguments.
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Ogre
A large, hideous, man-eating monster.
The ogre in the story terrorized the village, eating anyone who ventured too near his lair.
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Troll
To fish for by trailing a baited line from behind a slowly moving boat.
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Ogre
A figure in folklore, often giant and grotesque.
Children gathered around to hear tales of the ogre who lived in the enchanted forest.
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Ogre
An intimidating or brutish person.
His ogre-like demeanor in meetings made everyone hesitant to speak up.
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Ogre
A character in fairy tales, often an antagonist.
The ogre in the fairy tale was ultimately outwitted by the clever hero.
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Troll
To move around in (an area) or go to (different places) searching for something
"The players cautiously refrain from saying anything candid to the press trolling the clubhouse" (David Grann).
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Troll
To examine or search through
Trolling the classifieds for a cheap car.
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Ogre
(mythology) A type of brutish giant from folk tales that eats human flesh.
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Troll
To post inflammatory or irrelevant material on (an electronic forum) to provoke responses.
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Ogre
An imaginary monster, or hideous giant of fairy tales, who lived on human beings; hence, any frightful giant; a cruel monster.
His schoolroom must have resembled an ogre's den.
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Troll
To stroll along or wander
"As he was extremely early, he trolled past the community center" (David Bezmozgis).
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Troll
To move around in an area or go to different places searching for something.
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Troll
To examine or search through something
Trolling through old family photos looking for a picture of my aunt.
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Troll
A person who posts inflammatory or otherwise unwanted material on an electronic forum, especially anonymously.
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Troll
A supernatural creature of Scandinavian folklore, variously portrayed as a friendly or mischievous dwarf or as a giant, that lives in caves, in the hills, or under bridges.
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Troll
(Derogatory) A person, especially an older gay man, considered to be unpleasant or ugly.
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Troll
(fantasy) A supernatural being of varying size, now especially a grotesque humanoid creature living in caves or hills or under bridges.
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Troll
(slang) An ugly person of either sex, especially one seeking sexual experiences.
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Troll
Optical ejections from the top of the electrically active core regions of thunderstorms that are red in color that seem to occur after tendrils of vigorous sprites extend downward toward the cloud tops.
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Troll
An instance of trolling, especially, in fishing, the trailing of a baited line.
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Troll
A person who posts or says inflammatory, insincere, digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages to provoke others on the Internet for their own personal amusement or to manipulate others' perception.
Keyboard warrior
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Troll
To draw someone or something out, to entice, to lure as if with trailing bait.
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Troll
To fish using a line and bait or lures trailed behind a boat similarly to trawling; to lure fish with bait.
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Troll
(transitive) To angle for with a trolling line, or with a hook drawn along the surface of the water; hence, to allure.
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Troll
To stroll about in order to find a sexual partner.
He spends most of his waking hours trolling on WIRE.
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Troll
To post or make inflammatory or insincere statements so as to attempt to lure others into combative argument for purposes of personal entertainment or to manipulate others' perception, especially in an online community or discussion.
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Troll
To sing the parts of in succession, as of a round, a catch, and the like; also, to sing loudly, freely or in a carefree way.
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Troll
A supernatural being, often represented as of diminutive size, but sometimes as a giant, and fabled to inhabit caves, hills, and like places; a witch.
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Troll
A song the parts of which are sung in succession; a catch; a round.
Thence the catch and troll, while "Laughter, holding both his sides," sheds tears to song and ballad pathetic on the woes of married life.
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Troll
To move circularly or volubly; to roll; to turn.
To dress and troll the tongue, and roll the eye.
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Troll
To send about; to circulate, as a vessel in drinking.
Then doth she troll to the bowl.
Troll the brown bowl.
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Troll
To sing the parts of in succession, as of a round, a catch, and the like; also, to sing loudly or freely.
Will you troll the catch ?
His sonnets charmed the attentive crowd,By wide-mouthed mortaltrolled aloud.
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Troll
To angle for with a trolling line, or with a book drawn along the surface of the water; hence, to allure.
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Troll
To fish in; to seek to catch fish from.
With patient angle trolls the finny deep.
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Troll
To roll; to run about; to move around; as, to troll in a coach and six.
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Troll
To fish with a rod whose line runs on a reel; also, to fish by drawing the hook through the water.
Their young men . . . trolled along the brooks that abounded in fish.
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Troll
(Scandanavian folklore) a supernatural creature (either a dwarf or a giant) that is supposed to live in caves or in the mountains
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Troll
A partsong in which voices follow each other; one voice starts and others join in one after another until all are singing different parts of the song at the same time;
They enjoyed singing rounds
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Troll
A fisherman's lure that is used in trolling;
He used a spinner as his troll
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Troll
A mythical, ugly creature living under bridges or in caves.
The troll demanded a toll from anyone who wanted to cross the bridge.
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Troll
A figure in Norse mythology, often malevolent.
In the legend, the troll was defeated by the hero's cunning and bravery.
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Troll
A person who intentionally irritates or harasses others.
She was upset by the troll who kept posting negative comments on her blog.
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Troll
An ugly or monstrous creature in children’s stories.
The children's book featured a friendly troll who helped lost travelers.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are all trolls evil?
They are often mischievous or malevolent, but some stories portray them neutrally.
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Do ogres appear in world mythologies outside Europe?
Rarely, as they are mainly a European concept.
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Are ogres always evil in folklore?
Typically, but modern stories sometimes depict them more complexly.
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Do trolls always live under bridges?
In many tales, yes, but they can also dwell in caves or forests.
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Is the internet term 'troll' derived from folklore?
Yes, it's based on the idea of causing trouble or annoyance, similar to folklore trolls.
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Is the term ogre used outside of mythology?
Yes, sometimes to describe a cruel or fearsome person.
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Are ogres a popular subject in children's literature?
Yes, often as antagonists in fairy tales and stories.
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Are trolls always associated with bridges?
Not always, but it's a common theme in folklore.
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Can ogres be intelligent?
Traditionally not, but some modern interpretations give them more depth.
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Are ogres always solitary creatures?
Mostly, they are depicted as living alone.
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Do trolls have any magical powers?
In some stories, they have powers like shape-shifting or control over elements.
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Can trolls be benevolent?
In rare cases, some tales depict them as misunderstood or helpful.
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Do trolls appear in digital culture beyond internet slang?
Yes, in video games, movies, and fantasy literature.
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Do ogres have any known weaknesses?
This varies by story, with some having specific vulnerabilities.
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How are trolls depicted in modern fantasy?
They vary from dumb brutes to cunning adversaries.
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Do ogres have a specific appearance?
They are often depicted as huge, ugly, and fearsome.
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Can ogres be heroic characters?
Modern stories sometimes portray them as protagonists or anti-heroes.
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Is the ogre often used metaphorically?
Yes, to describe a brutish or tyrannical person.
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Are trolls part of any religious beliefs?
Not typically, they're more cultural or mythological figures.
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Is the concept of a troll evolving?
Yes, especially with its adoption in internet culture and modern media.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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