The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word OILED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
O
I
L
E
D
More clues leading to the result OILED
- Lubricated like a spring, but not with carbon
- Thus perhaps more able to move round, I took the initiative
- Not initially filthy drunk
- French pronoun found in dictionary rather the worse for wear
- Tipsy – oldies almost sozzled!
- Drunk worked hard — time to quit?
- Social need at intervals to get drunk
- Priest upset in excessive amount becomes tipsy
- Worked hard, having no time to get lubricated
- Head of Ofsted lied about being drunk
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Drunk" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case drunk = oiled.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 OILED mean?
OILED verb- To lubricate with oil.
- To grease with oil for cooking.
- Covered in, or supplied with, oil.
- Drunk. Usually in conjunction with well.