The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word FLAME
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
F
L
A
M
E
More clues leading to the result FLAME
- Female struggling to walk, an erstwhile lover?
- Lover that has a smoking-hot body?
- Light feminine sparkly material …
- Fellow with impotent lover
- A hot lover?
- Fine material for singer?
- Lover might lead sergeant in dance
- Lethal weapon, the arm tossed into river
- Weapons and helmets for war at sea
- Sergeant perhaps abandons dance for love
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Lover" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case lover = flame.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 FLAME mean?
FLAME noun- The visible part of fire; a stream of burning vapour or gas, emitting light and heat.
- A romantic partner or lover in a usually short-lived but passionate affair.
- Intentionally insulting criticism or remark meant to incite anger.
- A brilliant reddish orange-gold fiery colour.
- The contrasting light and dark figure seen in wood used for stringed instrument making; the curl.
- Burning zeal, passion, imagination, excitement, or anger.
- To produce flames; to burn with a flame or blaze.
- To burst forth like flame; to break out in violence of passion; to be kindled with zeal or ardour.
- To post a destructively critical or abusive message (to somebody).
- Of a brilliant reddish orange-gold colour, like that of a flame.