netizen

noun

net·​i·​zen ˈne-tə-zən How to pronounce netizen (audio)
 also  -sən
: an active participant in the online community of the Internet

Examples of netizen in a Sentence

the dismaying rudeness that so many netizens exhibit while online
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What To Know Last week, a netizen and self-described Korean learner uploaded an image to the social media app RedNote (Xiaohongshu), purportedly showing a map published in April 2024 by a North Korean map publisher, per News1. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 While Parker was the target of a worldwide web of jokes, a fair number of netizens came to his defense and said ESPN cameras shouldn't have focused so much on him in the play's aftermath. David K. Li, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025 Naturally, the post led many fans to speculate what this could mean, and netizens responded under the post. Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 30 Jan. 2025 Simpson was an active Cameo user in 2019 and netizens could pay him $250 for a short video. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 29 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for netizen

Word History

Etymology

blend of net and citizen

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of netizen was in 1984

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Netizen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/netizen. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

netizen

noun
net·​i·​zen ˈnet-ə-zən How to pronounce netizen (audio)
: a user of the Internet
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!