The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word SAYS
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
A
Y
S
More clues leading to the result SAYS
- Orders essentially insane physio
- Mentions a year aboard ship
- Oddly shady use for reports
- Soldiers guarding the earliest of Yankee states
- Special Forces must cross east of enemy states
- Tells of year in military force
- Speaks, for example, on ‘Origin of Species’
- Essay spotlights stifled voices
- Declares heads of state as young simpletons
- States it to hollow youths
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "reports" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case reports = says.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 SAYS mean?
SAYS noun- A chance to speak; the right or power to influence or make a decision.
- To pronounce.
- To recite.
- To tell, either verbally or in writing.
- To indicate in a written form.
- To have a common expression; used in singular passive voice or plural active voice to indicate a rumor or well-known fact.
- Suppose, assume; used to mark an example, supposition or hypothesis.
- To speak; to express an opinion; to make answer; to reply.
- (of a possession, especially money) To bet as a wager on an outcome; by extension, used to express belief in an outcome by the speaker.
- A type of fine cloth similar to serge.
- Trial by sample; assay; specimen.
- Tried quality; temper; proof.
- Essay; trial; attempt.
- To try; to assay.
- A strainer for milk.