What happens when you challenge a word in Scrabble?
Look the word up in the dictionary. If it isn't there, the player takes back their tiles and their turn ends with no score. If it is there, they keep the points and the challenger loses their next turn. You have to challenge before the next player starts their turn.
The rule:
In Scrabble, a challenged word is checked in the dictionary: if it’s missing, the player takes their tiles back and scores nothing, and if it’s there, they keep the points and the challenger loses their next turn.
How a challenge works:
- Who can challenge: any player.
- When: before the next player starts their turn. Once they’ve started, it’s too late, so the word stays.
- How it’s settled: look the word up in the dictionary your group agreed on.
| Result | What happens |
|---|---|
| Word not in the dictionary | The player takes back their tiles; their turn ends with no score |
| Word is in the dictionary | The player scores it; the challenger loses their next turn |
Which dictionary? The rules recommend The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary by Merriam-Webster or any agreed upon dictionary, and say to use the dictionary only for challenges, not for hunting for words.
Example:
Tom plays BRINDOX. Mia challenges, it isn't in the dictionary, so Tom picks up his tiles and scores nothing. Later Mia plays VEXING, Tom challenges, and the word is in the dictionary: Mia keeps her points and Tom misses his next turn.
Why players argue about it:
Families often play with no penalty for a failed challenge, or let anyone challenge at any time. The official rule makes challenging a risk for both sides.