The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word LACKS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
L
A
C
K
S
More clues leading to the result LACKS
- Goes without, sounding careless
- Wants to be sluggish, first to last
- Wants to sound negligent
- Is short, they say — short of discipline
- Wants to sound offhand
- Misses careless broadcast
- Needs to sound lenient
- Careless broadcast shows needs
- Wants to be anything but diligent, start to finish
- Misses reportedly loose
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Misses" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case misses = lacks.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 LACKS mean?
LACKS noun- A defect or failing; moral or spiritual degeneracy.
- A deficiency or need (of something desirable or necessary); an absence, want.
- To be without, to need, to require.
- To be short (of or for something).
- To be in want.
- To see the deficiency in (someone or something); to find fault with, to malign, reproach.