In crossword puzzles, the slang word for “each” is PER. It’s a short, three-letter fill that puzzle makers use when the clue is looking for a casual or abbreviated way to say “for every one.”
People don’t usually say “per” out loud in place of “each,” but you’ll spot it everywhere in writing: price tags read “$5 per item,” recipes say “one egg per person,” and gym schedules list “$20 per class.” In crosswords, that same quick “per” pops up as the go-to slangy answer when the grid needs a fast, common filler.
Meaning & Usage Examples
Clue: “Each, slangily”
Answer: PER
Example fill: 1-Across, three letters, fits perfectly with crossing words like “APE” and “RED.”
Context / Common Use
Crossword editors love “per” because it’s short, vowel-friendly, and shows up in everyday phrases like “per day,” “per hour,” and “mile per gallon.”
Is PER really slang?
It’s more shorthand than true slang, but crosswords treat it as the informal stand-in for “each” or “apiece.”
Can PER mean anything else in puzzles?
Yes—sometimes it clues “according to,” but when the clue says “each” or “for every,” the safe bet is PER.
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