The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word AILS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
A
I
L
S
More clues leading to the result AILS
- Not having won, is lamenting troubles
- Troubles racialist oddly ignored
- Is indisposed to alter sail
- Has a complaint and is lambasting shopkeeper up front
- Flags and sail will need adjusting
- Flags down in East End troubles
- Mail sorter in heart of hearts feels bad
- Troubles captain from beginning to end
- Misses female who is absent and suffers
Buddy explains!
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 AILS mean?
AILS noun- An ailment; trouble; illness.
- To cause to suffer; to trouble, afflict. (Now chiefly in interrogative or indefinite constructions.)
- To be ill; to suffer; to be troubled.
- The awn of barley or other types of corn.