# challenge

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈt͡ʃæl.ɪnd͡ʒ/ · frequency rank #1,389

## Definitions
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. A procedure or action.
10. A procedure or action.
11. A procedure or action.
12. The opening and crying of hounds upon first finding the scent of their game.

## Etymology
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”).
Cognate with Old English hōl (“calumny”). Doublet of calumny.

## Easily confused with
- **Charlene** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/challenge-vs-charlene)
- **challenges** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/challenge-vs-challenges)
- **challenged** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/challenge-vs-challenged)
- **challenger** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/challenge-vs-challenger)

## Common misspellings (12)
`cahllenge`, `cchallenge`, `chalelnge`, `chalenge`, `challegne`, `challeneg`, `challengge`, `challennge`, `challnege`, `chhallenge`, `chlalenge`, `hcallenge`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/challenge