The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word ADDITIVE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
A
D
D
I
T
I
V
E
More clues leading to the result ADDITIVE
- Supplement causing dependence about to be withdrawn
- Extra time I’d serve up in a disreputable bar
- Returning musical includes Dutch princess as extra
- E-number? Notice it in unpleasant joint
- Extra tie David knotted
- Special ingredient‘s moreish, but calorie-free!
- Supplement mentioned by Frenchman in a seedy joint
- Something put into food that’s ‘moreish’, not cold
- Forming a habit to ignore cold food ingredient
- Colouring maybe can be habit-forming if not caught
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "E-number?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case e-number? = additive.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 ADDITIVE mean?
ADDITIVE noun- A substance added to another substance or product to produce specific properties in the combined substance.
- (grammar) A word or phrase that adds something, such as also, even, or nor.
- Pertaining to addition; that can be, or has been, added.
- (of a function, etc.) That is distributive over addition.
- (of a group, semigroup, etc.) Whose operator is identified as addition.
- Pertaining to chemical addition.
- Of or pertaining to genes (or the interaction etc. of such genes) which govern the same trait and whose effects work together on the phenotype.