The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word IDEA
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
I
D
E
A
More clues leading to the result IDEA
- Concept everyone associated at first with papers
- Certain characters within decide against proposal
- Suggestion less than perfect.
- Suggestion assistant should postpone article
- One mostly loved thought
- Nearly perfect suggestion
- Notion one cherished briefly
- Single, almost cherished thought
- Thought to be perfect but coming up short?
- Fish about for purpose
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Concept" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case concept = idea.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 IDEA mean?
IDEA noun- An abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples.
- The conception of someone or something as representing a perfect example; an ideal.
- The form or shape of something; a quintessential aspect or characteristic.
- An image of an object that is formed in the mind or recalled by the memory.
- More generally, any result of mental activity; a thought, a notion; a way of thinking.
- A conception in the mind of something to be done; a plan for doing something, an intention.
- A purposeful aim or goal; intent
- A vague or fanciful notion; a feeling or hunch; an impression.
- A musical theme or melodic subject.