The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word MULTIPLE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
M
U
L
T
I
P
L
E
More clues leading to the result MULTIPLE
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Many" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case many = multiple.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 MULTIPLE mean?
MULTIPLE noun- A whole number that can be divided by another number with no remainder.
- Price-earnings ratio.
- One of a set of the same thing; a duplicate.
- A single individual who has multiple personalities.
- One of a set of siblings produced by a multiple birth.
- A chain store.
- A discovery resulting from the work of many people throughout history, not merely the work of the person who makes the final connection.
- More than one (followed by plural).
- Having more than one element, part, component, or function, having more than one instance, occurring more than once, usually contrary to expectations (can be followed by a singular).