Cryptic crossword clue
It’s improving — fine grin is spreading 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word REFINING

I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
R
E
F
I
N
I
N
G

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "improving" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case improving = refining.
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 REFINING mean?

REFINING verb
  1. To purify; reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; to free from impurities.
  2. To become pure; to be cleared of impure matter.
  3. To purify of coarseness, vulgarity, inelegance, etc.; to polish.
  4. To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or excellence.
  5. To make nice or subtle.
REFINING noun
  1. Refinement (process of refining)

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