The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word HAPPIEST
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
H
A
P
P
I
E
S
T
More clues leading to the result HAPPIEST
Buddy explains!
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 HAPPIEST mean?
HAPPIEST adjective- Having a feeling arising from a consciousness of well-being or of enjoyment; enjoying good of any kind, such as comfort, peace, or tranquillity; blissful, contented, joyous.
- Experiencing the effect of favourable fortune; favored by fortune or luck; fortunate, lucky, propitious.
- Content, satisfied (with or to do something); having no objection (to something).
- (Of acts, speech, etc.) Appropriate, apt, felicitous.
- (in combination) Favoring or inclined to use.
- (of people, often followed by "at" or "in") Dexterous, ready, skilful.