The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word MATCH
M
A
T
C
H
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Equal/contest/that’s ready to ignite" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case equal/contest/that’s ready to ignite = match.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MATCH mean?
MATCH noun- A competitive sporting event such as a boxing meet, a baseball game, or a cricket match.
- Any contest or trial of strength or skill, or to determine superiority.
- Someone with a measure of an attribute equaling or exceeding the object of comparison.
- A marriage.
- A candidate for matrimony; one to be gained in marriage.
- Suitability.
- Equivalence; a state of correspondence.
- Equality of conditions in contest or competition.
- A pair of items or entities with mutually suitable characteristics.
- An agreement or compact.
- A perforated board, block of plaster, hardened sand, etc., in which a pattern is partly embedded when a mould is made, for giving shape to the surfaces of separation between the parts of the mould.
- To agree; to be equal; to correspond.
- To agree with; to be equal to; to correspond to.
- To make a successful match or pairing.
- To equal or exceed in achievement.
- To unite in marriage, to mate.
- To fit together, or make suitable for fitting together; specifically, to furnish with a tongue and groove at the edges.
- A device made of wood or paper, at the tip coated with chemicals that ignite with the friction of being dragged (struck) against a rough dry surface.