The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word THREADBARE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
T
H
R
E
A
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B
A
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E
More clues leading to the result THREADBARE
- To study a hindrance in article that’s hackneyed
- Shabby European with rather bad novel
- Notice second decoration a few have received and worn
- A hard beret, carelessly worn
- Requirement for screw, stripped and worn
- Old rebate hard to change
- Feeble commercial ban a few accept
- Worn-out type in this puzzle, with pop-up blocker installed?
- Ragged number outside commercial pub
- The clothes are drab, scruffy and worn
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "worn" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case worn = threadbare.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 THREADBARE mean?
THREADBARE adjective- (of cloth) shabby, frayed and worn to an extent that warp threads show
- Damaged or shabby
- (of a person) wearing clothes of threadbare material
- Banal or clichéd; trite or hackneyed