Troll vs. Gnome — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 26, 2024
Trolls are mythical creatures often depicted as large and menacing with rough, stone-like skin, while gnomes are portrayed as small, benign beings with a keen affinity for nature and magic, commonly seen as guardians of treasures and nature.
Difference Between Troll and Gnome
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Key Differences
Trolls are frequently characterized in folklore and fantasy as large, powerful beings, sometimes monstrous, and often antagonistic. Whereas gnomes are typically shown as small, elderly-looking creatures with pointed hats, embodying a mischievous yet helpful spirit.
In many stories, trolls are depicted as living under bridges or in caves, shying away from sunlight which can turn them to stone. On the other hand, gnomes are often portrayed as dwellers of underground burrows or hidden forest homes, living in harmony with their environment.
Trolls in mythology are known for their strength and are often associated with a certain raw, primal danger. Whereas gnomes are frequently depicted with magical abilities, often related to the earth and nature, aiding plants and animals.
While trolls are often seen as solitary creatures who interact with humans only to cause trouble or guard territories, gnomes are considered good luck and are thought to protect the household and garden, especially from misfortune.
In visual media, trolls are often shown with a rugged, unkempt appearance, sometimes with elements resembling rock or earth. On the other hand, gnomes are typically depicted wearing colorful clothes, particularly red or green caps, and having white beards, reflecting their benign and whimsical nature.
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Comparison Chart
Size and Appearance
Large, often monstrous and rugged
Small, elderly-looking with pointed hats
Habitat
Under bridges, caves
Underground burrows, hidden in forests
Nature
Solitary, often malevolent
Social, benign, protective
Abilities
Physical strength, resilience
Magical, often related to nature
Cultural Symbolism
Danger, guardian of territories
Good luck, guardian of treasures and nature
Compare with Definitions
Troll
A mythical creature often depicted as large and menacing, sometimes turning to stone in sunlight.
The troll under the bridge roared menacingly at anyone who dared to cross.
Gnome
A small, mythical creature known for its connection to the earth and magical abilities.
The gnome used his magic to help the farmer's crops grow overnight.
Troll
Frequently appears in folklore as a creature to be outwitted or avoided.
In the story, the clever child managed to outwit the troll with a riddle.
Gnome
Appears in various folklore and fantasy settings as a creature of good fortune.
The family placed a gnome statue in the garden for good luck.
Troll
Often portrayed as antagonistic to humans in stories and films.
The film featured a troll that terrorized the kingdom.
Gnome
Seen as benign and helpful, particularly in protecting nature and animals.
Gnomes are said to look after wounded animals in the forest.
Troll
Associated with Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore.
Trolls are prominent figures in Norse myths, often clashing with gods and humans.
Gnome
Often depicted as wearing a pointed hat and having a long, white beard.
The garden gnome statue featured a red pointed hat and a cheerful smile.
Troll
Known for its strength and solitary nature, typically living in isolated or rugged terrain.
The old legends spoke of a troll that guarded the mountain pass.
Gnome
Believed to guard treasures, especially underground riches and household well-being.
According to legend, the gnome protected the ancient treasure hidden beneath the old mill.
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.
Gnome
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.
Troll
(in folklore) an ugly creature depicted as either a giant or a dwarf.
Gnome
One of a fabled race of dwarflike creatures who live underground and guard treasure hoards.
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
Gnome
In the occult philosophy of Paracelsus, a being that has earth as its element.
Troll
A line or bait used in trolling for fish.
Gnome
A pithy saying that expresses a general truth or fundamental principle; an aphorism.
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
Gnome
A brief reflection or maxim; a pithy saying.
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
Gnome
An elemental (spirit or corporeal creature associated with a classical element) associated with earth.
Troll
Walk in a leisurely way; stroll
We all trolled into town
Gnome
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.
Troll
Sing (something) in a happy and carefree way
He trolled a note or two
Gnome
A person of small stature or misshapen features, or of strange appearance.
Troll
To fish for by trailing a baited line from behind a slowly moving boat.
Gnome
The northern pygmy owl, Glaucidium gnoma, a small owl of the western United States.
Troll
To fish in by trailing a baited line
Troll the lake for bass.
Gnome
A small statue of a dwarf-like character, often bearded, placed in a garden.
Troll
To trail (a baited line) in fishing.
Gnome
An upper atmospheric optical phenomenon associated with thunderstorms, a compact blue starter.
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).
Gnome
A banker, especially a secretive international one.
The gnomes of Zurich
Troll
To examine or search through
Trolling the classifieds for a cheap car.
Gnome
An imaginary being, supposed by the Rosicrucians to inhabit the inner parts of the earth, and to be the guardian of mines, quarries, etc.
Troll
To sing in succession the parts of (a round, for example).
Gnome
A dwarf; a goblin; a person of small stature or misshapen features, or of strange appearance.
Troll
To sing heartily
Troll a carol.
Gnome
A small owl (Glaucidium gnoma) of the Western United States.
Troll
To post inflammatory or irrelevant material on (an electronic forum) to provoke responses.
Gnome
A brief reflection or maxim.
Troll
To fish by trailing a line, as from a moving boat.
Gnome
A legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure
Troll
To stroll along or wander
"As he was extremely early, he trolled past the community center" (David Bezmozgis).
Gnome
A short pithy saying expressing a general truth
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
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 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
Common Curiosities
Are trolls always evil in mythology?
Not always, but they are commonly depicted as menacing or antagonistic in many cultures.
What is the origin of gnome folklore?
Gnome-like creatures appear in many European folklores, with notable prominence in Germanic and Scandinavian mythology.
Do trolls have any weaknesses?
In many stories, trolls are vulnerable to sunlight, which can turn them to stone.
Are trolls intelligent in myths?
Intelligence varies; some stories depict trolls as cunning, while others show them as rather dim-witted.
Can gnomes be considered fairies?
While similar, gnomes are typically classified separately but share some characteristics with fairies, like their connection to nature.
How do gnomes communicate with humans?
In folklore, gnomes often communicate through subtle signs of nature or sometimes directly in a human language.
What role do trolls play in modern media?
Trolls are common in fantasy literature and movies, often serving as obstacles for heroes.
Do people still believe in gnomes?
While not commonly believed to be real, gnomes are popular in cultural decorations and stories.
What are typical activities of a gnome?
Typical activities include tending to wildlife, gardening, and protecting treasures.
Are there female trolls in mythology?
Yes, female trolls appear in various stories, though they are less commonly depicted than male trolls.
What is a typical gnome diet?
Folklore suggests that gnomes eat nuts, berries, and other natural foods.
How do gnomes impact their environment?
Gnomes are considered protectors of nature, often portrayed as enhancing and guarding their natural surroundings.
How are trolls used symbolically in stories?
Trolls often symbolize primal fears and obstacles to be overcome, representing personal or communal challenges.
What type of magic do gnomes use?
Gnome magic is often earth-related, involving the growth and protection of natural elements.
Can trolls be friendly?
Some modern interpretations show trolls as misunderstood rather than inherently evil, capable of friendship and kindness.
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Written by
Maham LiaqatEdited 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.