The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word DREAR
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
R
E
A
R
More clues leading to the result DREAR
- Otologist, say, finding her area of expertise dull
- Miserable nurse at end of ward
- Gloomy doctor given attention
- Miserable old doctor by organ
- Departs stern and miserable
- Driver’s first source of unwelcome advice in car, cheerless
- Depressed day nurse
- Bleak start for Doctor Foster
- Gloomy GP needs attention
- Gloomy rapper with role in record company
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Bleak" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case bleak = drear.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 DREAR mean?
DREAR adjective- Dreary.
- Gloom; sadness.