contest vs competition vs challenge

[Dmytro Kovalskyy]

Hello,

I am confused on terms that denote interaction between several individuals in English.
When I poll people I got always different answers.

What is the logical difference between contest vs. competition vs. challenge terms?
Do many people know on those differences?
What are the cases when only certain term is appropriate?

Thank you,

Dmytro

 

[Tdol]

A challenge proposes something. It's often used, as in food challenges, for an individual or single group to do something like race against time or previous results. I would use contest for something small, between two individuals or groups, say, and a competition for something bigger. However, there's plenty of room for overlap, so an absolute distinction may be evasive and other people may feel differently from me.

 

[Skrej]

Also, in my mind, 'contest' and 'competition' suggest more formally regulated and governed events. More rules, judges, referees, time limits, penalties, etc., whereas a challenge is more informal and less regulated, with only general, loose guidelines.