Almost naked aristocrat (4)
I believe the answer is:
earl
'aristocrat' is the definition.
(earl is a kind of aristocrat)
'almost naked' is the wordplay.
'almost' becomes 'nearly' (synonyms).
'naked' indicates the central letters (outside letters removed so centre is unclothed).
The central letters of 'nearly' are 'EARL'.
(Other definitions for earl that I've seen before include "Male equivalent of a countess" , "Rank below marquess" , "Lear (anag)" , "-- Grey, PM 1830-34" , "Titled man" .)