challenge

Meaning

Noun

1. A confrontation; a dare.
2. A confrontation; a dare.
3. A confrontation; a dare.
4. A confrontation; a dare.
5. A confrontation; a dare.
6. A confrontation; a dare.
7. A difficult task, especially one that the person making the attempt finds more enjoyable because of that difficulty.
8. A procedure or action.
9. (rare) A procedure or action.
10. A procedure or action.
11. (US) A procedure or action.
12. The opening and crying of hounds upon first finding the scent of their game.

Verb

1. (transitive) To invite (someone) to take part in a competition.
2. (transitive) To dare (someone).
3. (transitive) To dispute (something); to contest.
4. To call something into question or dispute.
5. (transitive) To make a formal objection to a juror.
6. (transitive) To be difficult or challenging for.
7. (obsolete, transitive) To claim as due; to demand as a right.
8. (obsolete, transitive) To censure; to blame.
9. (transitive) To question or demand the countersign from (one who attempts to pass the lines).
10. (US, transitive) To object to the reception of the vote of, e.g. on the ground that the person is not qualified as a voter.
11. (Canada, US, transitive) To take (a final exam) in order to get credit for a course without taking it.

Synonyms

dare

dispute

defy

contest

provoke

defiance

oppose

contradict

impugn

throw down the gauntlet

invite

protest

compete

venture

tackle

take exception

question

❓

summons

offer

attack

👊

problem

subpoena

application

challenging

summon

rival

stimulate

test

provocation

daring

antagonize

argue

proposal

request

contend

confront

gauntlet

brave

entry

compete with

find fault

doubt

gainsay

resist

commence

clasp

blame

cite

citation

beget

Translations

défier

défi

desafiar

Herausforderung

desafío

sfida

sfidare

contester

herausfordern

desafio

reto

πρόκληση

uitdagen

desafiar

uitdaging

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈt͡ʃæl.ɪnd͡ʒ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: chalenge

Inherited from Middle English: kalange

Cognate with Old English: hol

In summary

From Middle English chalenge, variant with palatalization of Middle English kalange (“an accusation, claim”), from Old French chalenge, chalonge, palatalized Central French variants of Old Northern French calenge, calonge (see Continental Norman calengier), from Latin calumnia (“a false accusation, calumny”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱeh₁l-, *keh₁l- (“to beguile, deceive”). Cognate with Old English hōl (“calumny”). Doublet of calumny.