Crossword Genius

Bristly customer finding love in boozer (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

boar

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'bristly customer' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'love in boozer' is the wordplay.
'love' becomes 'o' (love means zero in tennis).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'boozer' becomes 'bar'.
'o' inserted into 'bar' is 'BOAR'.

'finding' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for boar that I've seen before include "Resting place for birds or bats" , "Wild animal, sounds like drill" , "Uncastrated male pig" , "Uncastrated male hog" , "The head for drink Falstaff had" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.