Crossword Genius

Ready to play, darling? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deary

'darling?' is the definition.
('deary' can be a synonym of 'darling')

'ready to play' is the wordplay.
'to play' indicates anagramming the letters.
'ready' is an anagram of 'DEARY'.

(Other definitions for deary that I've seen before include "Love" , "Ready (anag) -- pet" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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