The New York Times Crossword · 26-Down · 3 letters
Verbal hesitations The New York Times Crossword clue
Editorially reviewed August 19, 2026
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Meaning cue
Spell the filler sound people make during a pause.
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Answer
Why it fits
An “er” is a filler sound made during a spoken hesitation. The plural clue asks for more than one such pause, producing the compact plural ERS.
Continue this puzzlePrivate sleeping accommodations? →What narrows the clue
The plural noun “hesitations” requires the plural spelling of a represented speech sound.
Answer meaning
Representations of the hesitant sound “er,” used when a speaker pauses to think.
Where this clue appeared
26-Down in The New York Times Crossword puzzle for August 19, 2026.
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