The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word LEAST
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
L
E
A
S
T
More clues leading to the result LEAST
- Smallest area cuts half of that?
- Labour leader takes direction — the bare minimum!
- The smallest stick it out to conserve energy
- Endure, consuming energy to the smallest extent
- Smallest amount filling receptacle — as tested
- Smallest article in case put outside
- Left meal unstarted? Far from the greatest
- Lecturer's first point of minimal importance
- Smallest stone under meadow
- The smallest amount of arsenic stored by permit
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "of minimal importance" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case of minimal importance = least.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 LEAST mean?
LEAST noun- Something of the smallest possible extent; an indivisible unit.
- Used for forming superlatives of adjectives, especially those that do not form the superlative by adding -est.
- In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others.