The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word THING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
T
H
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result THING
- Not half unearthing obsession?
- Object? Fine and good
- Item, not very credible, supported by leader of government
- Gordonstoun's principal pursuing delicate matter
- Pondering bumping off family in obsession
- Poor girl’s obsession?
- Object of night shift
- Good to put an end to slight obsession
- Hammer Night horror
- Far from a little money for one’s cup of tea?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "obsession" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case obsession = thing.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 THING mean?
THING noun- That which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept.
- A word, symbol, sign, or other referent that can be used to refer to any entity.
- An individual object or distinct entity.
- A genuine concept, entity or phenomenon; something that actually exists (often contrary to expectation or belief).
- Whatever can be owned.
- Corporeal object.
- (somewhat obsolete, with the) The latest fad or fashion.
- (in the plural) Clothes, possessions or equipment.
- A unit or container, usually containing edible goods.
- A problem, dilemma, or complicating factor.
- A penis.
- A living being or creature.
- That which matters; the crux.
- Used after a noun to refer dismissively to the situation surrounding the noun's referent.
- That which is favoured; personal preference. (Used in possessive constructions.)
- A public assembly or judicial council in a Germanic country.
- A romantic relationship.
- To express as a thing; to reify.