Cryptic crossword clue
Bill starts to expect disaster after fellow disappeared 5

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word FADED

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
F
A
D
E
D

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "disappeared" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case disappeared = faded.
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 FADED mean?

FADED verb
  1. To grow weak; to lose strength; to decay; to perish gradually; to wither, as a plant.
  2. To lose freshness, color, or brightness; to become faint in hue or tint; hence, to be wanting in color.
  3. To sink away; to disappear gradually; to grow dim; to vanish.
  4. To cause to fade.
  5. To bet against.
FADED adjective
  1. (sometimes figurative) That has lost some of its former colour or intensity.
  2. High on drugs; stoned

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