Ogre vs. Troll — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
An ogre is a large, brutish creature of folklore, often depicted as seeking human prey, while a troll is a mythical creature, commonly associated with bridges and known for its mischief.
Difference Between Ogre and Troll
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Ogres, rooted deep in mythology, are typically depicted as large, intimidating beings with a taste for human flesh. Trolls, on the other hand, often appear in Scandinavian folklore and are known for their tricks and guarding bridges.
In many tales, an ogre’s primary characteristic is its hunger for humans, especially children. Trolls vary more in their portrayal, with some being malevolent bridge-guardians and others mere mischievous forest dwellers.
Physically, ogres are generally imagined as more human-like but of a larger and grotesque appearance. Trolls are frequently shown as stout, sometimes even dwarf-like, with distinct non-human features setting them apart.
The word "ogre" often brings to mind a monstrous being lurking in the shadows, waiting to prey on unsuspecting humans. In contrast, "troll" might evoke images of a creature demanding a toll to cross a bridge or a creature playing tricks on travelers.
While both ogres and trolls have been popularized and softened in modern media, with some even being portrayed as friendly or comedic figures, their origins in folklore are darker, with ogres as voracious monsters and trolls as tricky antagonists.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Origin
Global folklore
Primarily Scandinavian folklore
Typical Behavior
Often seeks human prey, especially children.
Mischievous, guards bridges, demands tolls.
Physical Appearance
Large, brutish, more human-like.
Stout, dwarf-like, with distinct non-human features.
Popular Locations in Tales
Various, including forests and mountains.
Bridges, caves, and forests.
Modern Media Representation
Often softened; can be comedic or friendly.
Also softened; diverse from funny to friendly to wicked.
Compare with Definitions
Ogre
A monstrous being with a penchant for eating humans.
Children were warned of the ogre that lurked in the woods.
Troll
A figure in Scandinavian folklore, often depicted as tricky.
Travelers would share stories of their encounters with trolls in the forest.
Ogre
An entity in tales, often representing fear or danger.
The legend spoke of an ogre guarding the treasure in the mountains.
Troll
A troll is a being in Scandinavian folklore, including Norse mythology. In Old Norse sources, beings described as trolls dwell in isolated rocks, mountains, or caves, live together in small family units, and are rarely helpful to human beings.
Ogre
A large, brutish creature from folklore.
The ogre in the tale terrified the village with its nightly roars.
Troll
(in folklore) an ugly creature depicted as either a giant or a dwarf.
Ogre
An ogre (feminine: ogress) is a legendary monster usually depicted as a large, hideous, man-like being that eats ordinary human beings, especially infants and children. Ogres frequently feature in mythology, folklore, and fiction throughout the world.
Troll
A person who makes a deliberately offensive or provocative online post
One solution is to make a troll's postings invisible to the rest of community once they've been recognized
Ogre
(in folklore) a man-eating giant.
Troll
A line or bait used in trolling for fish.
Ogre
A giant or monster in legends and fairy tales that eats humans.
Troll
Make a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them
If people are obviously trolling then I'll delete your posts and do my best to ban you
You folks taking this opportunity to troll me, you really need to reassess your values in your life
Ogre
A person who is considered particularly cruel, brutish, or ugly.
Troll
Carefully and systematically search an area for something
A group of companies trolling for partnership opportunities
I spent tonight trolling the Internet for expensive lighting gear
Ogre
(mythology) A type of brutish giant from folk tales that eats human flesh.
Troll
Walk in a leisurely way; stroll
We all trolled into town
Ogre
(figuratively) A brutish man reminiscent of the mythical ogre.
Troll
Sing (something) in a happy and carefree way
He trolled a note or two
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.
Troll
To fish for by trailing a baited line from behind a slowly moving boat.
Ogre
A cruel wicked and inhuman person
Troll
To fish in by trailing a baited line
Troll the lake for bass.
Ogre
(folklore) a giant who likes to eat human beings
Troll
To trail (a baited line) in fishing.
Ogre
A figure in legends, often depicted as intimidating.
The hero of the story bravely faced the ogre to save the princess.
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).
Ogre
A term for a person perceived as cruel or hideous.
His bullying behavior made him the ogre of the school.
Troll
To examine or search through
Trolling the classifieds for a cheap car.
Troll
To sing in succession the parts of (a round, for example).
Troll
To sing heartily
Troll a carol.
Troll
To post inflammatory or irrelevant material on (an electronic forum) to provoke responses.
Troll
To fish by trailing a line, as from a moving boat.
Troll
To stroll along or wander
"As he was extremely early, he trolled past the community center" (David Bezmozgis).
Troll
To move around in an area or go to different places searching for something.
Troll
To examine or search through something
Trolling through old family photos looking for a picture of my aunt.
Troll
(Music) To sing heartily or gaily.
Troll
The act of trolling for fish.
Troll
A lure, such as a spoon or spinner, that is used for trolling.
Troll
(Music) A vocal composition in successive parts; a round.
Troll
A person who posts inflammatory or otherwise unwanted material on an electronic forum, especially anonymously.
Troll
The material so posted.
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.
Troll
(Derogatory) A person, especially an older gay man, considered to be unpleasant or ugly.
Troll
(fantasy) A supernatural being of varying size, now especially a grotesque humanoid creature living in caves or hills or under bridges.
Troll
(slang) An ugly person of either sex, especially one seeking sexual experiences.
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.
Troll
An instance of trolling, especially, in fishing, the trailing of a baited line.
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
Troll
The act of moving round; routine; repetition.
Troll
A song whose parts are sung in succession; a catch; a round.
Troll
(obsolete) A trolley.
Troll
(intransitive) To saunter.
Troll
(intransitive) To trundle, to roll from side to side.
Troll
To draw someone or something out, to entice, to lure as if with trailing bait.
Troll
To fish using a line and bait or lures trailed behind a boat similarly to trawling; to lure fish with bait.
Troll
(transitive) To angle for with a trolling line, or with a hook drawn along the surface of the water; hence, to allure.
Troll
(transitive) To fish in; to try to catch fish from.
Troll
To stroll about in order to find a sexual partner.
He spends most of his waking hours trolling on WIRE.
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.
Troll
To move circularly; to roll; to turn.
Troll
To send about; to circulate, as a vessel in drinking.
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.
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.
Troll
The act of moving round; routine; repetition.
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.
Troll
A trolley.
Troll
To move circularly or volubly; to roll; to turn.
To dress and troll the tongue, and roll the eye.
Troll
To send about; to circulate, as a vessel in drinking.
Then doth she troll to the bowl.
Troll the brown bowl.
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.
Troll
To angle for with a trolling line, or with a book drawn along the surface of the water; hence, to allure.
Troll
To fish in; to seek to catch fish from.
With patient angle trolls the finny deep.
Troll
To roll; to run about; to move around; as, to troll in a coach and six.
Troll
To move rapidly; to wag.
Troll
To take part in trolling a song.
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.
Troll
(Scandanavian folklore) a supernatural creature (either a dwarf or a giant) that is supposed to live in caves or in the mountains
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
Troll
A fisherman's lure that is used in trolling;
He used a spinner as his troll
Troll
Angling by drawing a baited line through the water
Troll
Circulate, move around
Troll
Cause to move round and round;
The child trolled her hoop
Troll
Sing the parts of (a round) in succession
Troll
Angle with a hook and line drawn through the water
Troll
Sing loudly and without inhibition
Troll
Praise or celebrate in song;
All tongues shall troll you
Troll
Speak or recite rapidly or in a rolling voice
Troll
A mythical creature known for mischief and guarding bridges.
The troll demanded gold from anyone wanting to cross the bridge.
Troll
A term for someone who purposely causes discord online.
He was banned from the forum for being a troll and upsetting members.
Troll
An entity in legends, with a range of appearances from hideous to comical.
The villagers celebrated when the wicked troll was defeated.
Troll
A descriptor for someone seeking to provoke reactions.
She accused him of being a troll after his controversial remarks.
Common Curiosities
Which culture predominantly speaks of trolls?
Trolls are predominantly mentioned in Scandinavian folklore.
Are ogres and trolls always portrayed as evil?
Historically, they often were, but modern media portrays a wide range of personalities for both.
Do ogres have a specific look across all tales?
While ogres are often large and brutish, their exact appearance can vary across stories.
Are ogres and trolls real creatures?
No, they are mythical creatures from folklore.
Are trolls always small and dwarf-like?
No, trolls' sizes and appearances vary in different tales, though many depict them as stout or dwarf-like.
How have ogres been popularized in recent times?
Ogres have been popularized in movies, books, and cartoons, often with diverse personalities.
Can the term "troll" refer to online behavior?
Yes, "troll" can refer to someone who intentionally disrupts online communities.
Are trolls always associated with bridges?
While many stories depict trolls guarding bridges, they appear in various settings in different tales.
Are trolls ever depicted as large and intimidating?
Yes, some tales describe trolls as large, powerful beings.
Are there friendly ogres and trolls in stories?
Yes, modern retellings and media often portray them as friendly, misunderstood, or comedic figures.
How did ogres become a part of global folklore?
Through cultural exchange, migration, and shared storytelling traditions, the concept of ogres spread.
Do tales ever portray ogres and trolls interacting with each other?
While both are popular in folklore, tales specifically about ogres and trolls interacting are rare.
How do modern interpretations differ from traditional tales about ogres and trolls?
Modern versions often give them depth, backstory, and diverse personalities, in contrast to their usually antagonistic roles in traditional tales.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Emotional vs. Rational
Next Comparison
Abstractor vs. AbstracterAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
