ER...1

The word ending -ER is loved by compilers because it can mean so many different things in English: [1] An adjectival ending meaning MORE, as in COLDER [2] A noun ending meaning SOMEONE OR SOMETHING WHO DOES, as in REPORTER or FARMER [3] A noun ending meaning SOMEONE OR SOMETHING WHO HAS IT DONE TO THEM, e.g. a POSTER is something which has been POSTED on a wall and a KEEPER is a lover that will get KEPT [4] A noun ending meaning SOMEONE/SOMETHING FROM A PLACE, e.g. a LONDONER is from LONDON [5] A verb ending meaning the verb got done REPEATEDLY e.g. Someone who CHATS a lot at speed CHATTERS This forms the basis of much wordplay. Is MATTER a noun meaning MATERIAL or an adjective meaning SMOOTHER? Or perhaps a noun meaning SOMEONE WHO MATS HAIR ETC INTO A CLUMP? If you enjoy my crosswords, you'll LOVE the Cryptic Mystic's fantastic YouTube channel, which has been kind enough to feature a couple of my crosswords and is THE best resource for cryptic beginners: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Cryptic_Mystic