The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word STAID
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
S
T
A
I
D
More clues leading to the result STAID
- Sober and sedate way to help
- The way a hand becomes steady
- Grave of dictator’s endured
- Conservative help propping up vacated seat
- Reportedly remained sober
- 27 Reportedly waited around grave
- Serious way to get help
- In speech remained sober
- Having consumed tea, say, pronounced sober
- Supported verbally, as is proper
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Serious" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case serious = staid.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 STAID mean?
STAID adjective- Not capricious or impulsive; sedate, serious, sober.
- Always fixed in the same location; stationary.