Possible response to "Who's ready?"

WEARE

["**Hint:** \"Group affirmation often heard in unison.\"\n\nThis hint suggests a collective response without directly repeating the original clue or giving away the answer. It points toward a common phrase used by groups while keeping the solver engaged in the wordplay."]

The clue **"Possible response to 'Who's ready?'"** leads to the answer **"WEARE"** through the following reasoning: 1. **Direct Interpretation**: The phrase *"Who's ready?"* is a common call-and-response prompt, often answered with *"We are!"* in group settings (e.g., sports teams, classrooms, or motivational speeches). 2. **Wordplay**: The answer **"WEARE"** is a phonetic or informal spelling of *"we are,"* capturing the spoken response concisely. 3. **Crossword Convention**: Crossword clues frequently use contractions or colloquial spellings to fit the grid, making *"WEARE"* a valid representation of the spoken phrase. Thus, the answer cleverly mirrors the natural reply to the question while adhering to crossword-style brevity.