The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word TATTERED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
T
A
T
T
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D
More clues leading to the result TATTERED
- Artist ultimately carried weight, though not initially in poor condition
- Tons treated badly being in rags
- Model carried some weight, though not initially in poor condition
- Article on temperature in Times gutlessly went amiss in rags
- Lacemaker’s educated but shabby
- Volunteers not drinking before start of dinner, getting ragged
- Visibly in tears
- Shipworm mostly found under matting in shreds
- Time was important, scrubbing top being worn
- Ragged cuddly toy with stuff inside but no head
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "being in rags" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case being in rags = tattered.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 TATTERED mean?
TATTERED verb- To destroy an article of clothing etc. by shredding.
- To fall into tatters.
- Rent in tatters, torn, hanging in rags; ragged
- Dressed in tatters or rags; ragged
- Dilapidated; showing gaps or breaks; jagged; broken