-er

a person or thing that does something

Forms

-er
-r — Used after some bases ending in e.

Origin

Old English -ere, generally traced through Germanic to Latin -arius.

Note

It can name a tool as readily as a person. The comparison ending in taller has a different history.

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noun

challenger

CHAL-in-jer/ˈtʃælɪndʒər/

Someone who contests another's position or claim.

The older challenger makes his move against the reigning chess champion.

An older challenger makes a move against the reigning champion in a chess match.

Etymology

challengLatinto accuse falsely

+erEnglisha person or thing that does something

The verb behind challenger shifted from accusing people to calling them to fight. With the agent ending, it names the person issuing that call, including a competitor confronting a champion.

In context

RollYourRock7:07

it's our Challenger George Fazio 75 and still Champion that old tough guy from South Africa with a fine 69 Bobby Locke

Bobby Locke / Putting Lesson From the Best of All Time! / READ ⬇️ ⬇️

More examples

The challenger wins support in the final weeks of the campaign.
Several challengers dispute the official account.
The champion shakes hands with her next challenger.

Forms

challenger · challengers

Similar words

contender: Competes seriously for a title without necessarily opposing its current holder.
opponent: Anyone on the opposing side, including a defending champion.