The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word LIBERATED
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
L
I
B
E
R
A
T
E
D
More clues leading to the result LIBERATED
- Learner I told off is not kept in detention
- Floor of hovel I carpeted for free
- Free covering, including slate?
- Wild bear I’d let free
- Released particulars about penning book on the Queen
- Learner I laid into for flouting conventional rules?
- Let go, student I rebuked
- Released mounted troops to protect British monarch
- Blair regularly taken to task for being free of social constraints
- Criticise inside cover that’s not bound by social conventions
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "free" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case free = liberated.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 LIBERATED mean?
LIBERATED verb- To set free, to make or allow to be free, particularly
- To acquire from an enemy during wartime, used especially of cities, regions, and other population centers.
- To acquire from another by theft or force: to steal, to rob.
- Freed, especially from traditional ideas in social and sexual matters.