netizen

American  

[net-uh-zuhn, ‑suhn] / ˈnɛt ə zən, ‑sən /

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a user of the internet, often one who is actively engaged in uncensored online discussions of political and social issues.

   Chinese netizens who post their messages using pseudonyms.

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netizen British  

/ ˈnɛtɪzən /

noun

1. informal a person who regularly uses the internet

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Etymology

Origin of netizen

First recorded in 1980–85; (inter)net ( def. ) + (cit)izen

Example Sentences

"I remember that safety inspections were conducted on various gymnasiums after the Qiqihar No. 34 Middle School gymnasium collapsed in July," said a netizen on China's Weibo social media platform.

From Reuters • Nov. 7, 2023

Another netizen added: "She's doing it for all of us."

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2023

“Compared with the virus itself, I’m more afraid of home disinfection and one positive case getting a whole floor sent to mass quarantine,” one netizen wrote on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like microblogging platform.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2022

They are resigned to allowing this to take place because they view it as the unfortunate cost of being a netizen.

From New York Times • Jan. 29, 2022

Ms Fu was forced to speak up after a netizen pointed out that she was in fact a girl.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2021