contest
B1Neutral to formal, depending on context.
Definition
Meaning
A competition, or a struggle for victory.
Can also refer to a formal dispute or challenge, especially in legal or political contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, typically refers to a structured event with rules. As a verb, can mean 'to compete for' (neutral) or 'to formally oppose/challenge' (formal/legal).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The verb's stress pattern is a key difference: British English stresses the second syllable /kənˈtest/, American English can stress either (first for noun-sense, second for verb-sense). The noun is generally stressed on the first syllable in both.
Connotations
No major difference in connotation.
Frequency
Both noun and verb are equally frequent in both varieties. The formal/legal sense of the verb ('to contest a will') is common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
contest (something)contest that + clausecontest for + somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “no contest (an easy victory or indisputable situation)”
- “a contest of wills”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Contest a decision, market contest.
Academic
Theoretical contest, contested concept.
Everyday
Cooking contest, contest on TV.
Technical
Electoral contest (politics), contested election.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He plans to contest the seat in the next election.
- They decided to contest the referee's decision.
- The result was hotly contested.
American English
- She's going to contest the parking ticket.
- The will was contested by a distant relative.
- They contested every point in the debate.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form derived directly from 'contest').
American English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form derived directly from 'contest').
adjective
British English
- Contested territory
- A hotly-contested issue.
American English
- Contested election results
- A fiercely contested primary.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She won first prize in the school contest.
- The contest was very exciting.
- Are you going to enter the photography contest?
- It was a close contest, but our team lost in the end.
- The election was one of the most bitterly contested in recent history.
- They hired a lawyer to contest the terms of the contract.
- The very definition of democracy is a contested concept among political theorists.
- He is considering contesting the leadership, which could split the party.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CONflict + TEST = CONTEST. A contest tests who is best, often creating conflict.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A CONTEST, ARGUMENT IS WAR (to contest a point).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating the noun 'конкурс' always as 'contest'; sometimes 'competition' is more natural.
- The verb 'оспаривать' is well translated by 'to contest' in formal/legal contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I will contest IN the race.' Correct: 'I will contest the race.' or 'I will compete IN the race.'
- Using 'contest' as a verb for simple disagreement in informal talk (too formal).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'contest' used as a verb with a formal/legal meaning?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. The noun means 'a competition'. The verb means 'to compete for' or 'to formally challenge/dispute'.
Typically with stress on the second syllable: /kənˈtest/. However, in American English, you may sometimes hear the noun stress pattern (/ˈkɑːn.test/) used for the verb as well, especially in the sense of 'competing for'.
They are often interchangeable. 'Contest' can imply a single event or a more personal struggle. 'Competition' is broader, can refer to the general activity or the feeling of rivalry, and is slightly more common.
Yes. It's an idiom meaning the result was completely one-sided and obvious, or in law, a plea where the defendant does not admit guilt but will not fight the charges.
Explore