Troll vs. Gnome — What's the Difference?

A mythical creature often depicted as large and menacing, sometimes turning to stone in sunlight.

A small, mythical creature known for its connection to the earth and magical abilities.

Frequently appears in folklore as a creature to be outwitted or avoided.

Appears in various folklore and fantasy settings as a creature of good fortune.

Often portrayed as antagonistic to humans in stories and films.

Seen as benign and helpful, particularly in protecting nature and animals.

Associated with Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore.

Often depicted as wearing a pointed hat and having a long, white beard.

Known for its strength and solitary nature, typically living in isolated or rugged terrain.

Believed to guard treasures, especially underground riches and household well-being.

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.

A gnome is a mythological creature and diminutive spirit in Renaissance magic and alchemy, first introduced by Paracelsus in the 16th century and later adopted by more recent authors including those of modern fantasy literature. Its characteristics have been reinterpreted to suit the needs of various story tellers, but it is typically said to be a small humanoid that lives underground.Diminutive statues of gnomes introduced as lawn ornaments during the 19th century grew in popularity during the 20th century and came to be known as garden gnomes.

(in folklore) an ugly creature depicted as either a giant or a dwarf.

One of a fabled race of dwarflike creatures who live underground and guard treasure hoards.

A person who makes a deliberately offensive or provocative online post

In the occult philosophy of Paracelsus, a being that has earth as its element.

A line or bait used in trolling for fish.

A pithy saying that expresses a general truth or fundamental principle; an aphorism.

Make a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them

A brief reflection or maxim; a pithy saying.

Carefully and systematically search an area for something

An elemental (spirit or corporeal creature associated with a classical element) associated with earth.

Walk in a leisurely way; stroll

One of a race of imaginary human-like beings, usually depicted as short and typically bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc.; in modern fantasy literature and games, when distinguished from dwarves, gnomes are usually even smaller than dwarves and more focussed on engineering than mining.

Sing (something) in a happy and carefree way

A person of small stature or misshapen features, or of strange appearance.

To fish for by trailing a baited line from behind a slowly moving boat.

The northern pygmy owl, Glaucidium gnoma, a small owl of the western United States.

To fish in by trailing a baited line

A small statue of a dwarf-like character, often bearded, placed in a garden.

To trail (a baited line) in fishing.

An upper atmospheric optical phenomenon associated with thunderstorms, a compact blue starter.

To move around in (an area) or go to (different places) searching for something

A banker, especially a secretive international one.

To examine or search through

An imaginary being, supposed by the Rosicrucians to inhabit the inner parts of the earth, and to be the guardian of mines, quarries, etc.

To sing in succession the parts of (a round, for example).

A dwarf; a goblin; a person of small stature or misshapen features, or of strange appearance.

To sing heartily

A small owl (Glaucidium gnoma) of the Western United States.

To post inflammatory or irrelevant material on (an electronic forum) to provoke responses.

A brief reflection or maxim.

To fish by trailing a line, as from a moving boat.

A legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure

To stroll along or wander

A short pithy saying expressing a general truth

To move around in an area or go to different places searching for something.

To examine or search through something

(Music) To sing heartily or gaily.

The act of trolling for fish.

A lure, such as a spoon or spinner, that is used for trolling.

(Music) A vocal composition in successive parts; a round.

A person who posts inflammatory or otherwise unwanted material on an electronic forum, especially anonymously.

The material so posted.

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.

(Derogatory) A person, especially an older gay man, considered to be unpleasant or ugly.

(fantasy) A supernatural being of varying size, now especially a grotesque humanoid creature living in caves or hills or under bridges.

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.

An instance of trolling, especially, in fishing, the trailing of a baited line.

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.

The act of moving round; routine; repetition.

A song whose parts are sung in succession; a catch; a round.

(obsolete) A trolley.

(intransitive) To saunter.

(intransitive) To trundle, to roll from side to side.

To draw someone or something out, to entice, to lure as if with trailing bait.

To fish using a line and bait or lures trailed behind a boat similarly to trawling; to lure fish with bait.

(transitive) To angle for with a trolling line, or with a hook drawn along the surface of the water; hence, to allure.

(transitive) To fish in; to try to catch fish from.

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.

To move circularly; to roll; to turn.

To send about; to circulate, as a vessel in drinking.

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.

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.

The act of moving round; routine; repetition.

A song the parts of which are sung in succession; a catch; a round.

A trolley.

To move circularly or volubly; to roll; to turn.

To send about; to circulate, as a vessel in drinking.

To sing the parts of in succession, as of a round, a catch, and the like; also, to sing loudly or freely.

To angle for with a trolling line, or with a book drawn along the surface of the water; hence, to allure.

To fish in; to seek to catch fish from.

To roll; to run about; to move around; as, to troll in a coach and six.

To move rapidly; to wag.

To take part in trolling a song.

To fish with a rod whose line runs on a reel; also, to fish by drawing the hook through the water.

(Scandanavian folklore) a supernatural creature (either a dwarf or a giant) that is supposed to live in caves or in the mountains

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;

A fisherman's lure that is used in trolling;

Angling by drawing a baited line through the water

Circulate, move around

Cause to move round and round;

Sing the parts of (a round) in succession

Angle with a hook and line drawn through the water

Sing loudly and without inhibition

Praise or celebrate in song;

Speak or recite rapidly or in a rolling voice

Not always, but they are commonly depicted as menacing or antagonistic in many cultures.

Gnome-like creatures appear in many European folklores, with notable prominence in Germanic and Scandinavian mythology.

In many stories, trolls are vulnerable to sunlight, which can turn them to stone.

Intelligence varies; some stories depict trolls as cunning, while others show them as rather dim-witted.

While similar, gnomes are typically classified separately but share some characteristics with fairies, like their connection to nature.

In folklore, gnomes often communicate through subtle signs of nature or sometimes directly in a human language.

Trolls are common in fantasy literature and movies, often serving as obstacles for heroes.

While not commonly believed to be real, gnomes are popular in cultural decorations and stories.

Typical activities include tending to wildlife, gardening, and protecting treasures.

Yes, female trolls appear in various stories, though they are less commonly depicted than male trolls.

Folklore suggests that gnomes eat nuts, berries, and other natural foods.

Gnomes are considered protectors of nature, often portrayed as enhancing and guarding their natural surroundings.

Trolls often symbolize primal fears and obstacles to be overcome, representing personal or communal challenges.

Gnome magic is often earth-related, involving the growth and protection of natural elements.

Some modern interpretations show trolls as misunderstood rather than inherently evil, capable of friendship and kindness.