The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word EVOLVE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
E
V
O
L
V
E
More clues leading to the result EVOLVE
- Gradually develop passion for climbing: very English!
- Mature turn, the first to be ignored
- Develop spin in absence of leader
- Emerge as first woman to take on half-volley
- Disclose gun with case removed
- Corrected heart valve using nothing for a change
- Develop sort of love after day of celebration put back
- Mature, very deep emotion backfiring on wife in the end
- Spun endlessly to unroll
- No case for gun to change
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Gradually develop" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case gradually develop = evolve.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 EVOLVE mean?
EVOLVE verb- To move in regular procession through a system.
- To change; transform.
- To come into being; develop.
- Of a population, to change genetic composition over successive generations through the process of evolution.
- To give off (gas, such as oxygen or carbon dioxide during a reaction).
- To cause something to change or transform.