Crossword Genius

Apply to become a painter? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pertain

'apply to' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'become a painter?' is the wordplay.
'become' indicates anagramming the letters.
'painter' is an anagram of 'PERTAIN'.

(Other definitions for pertain that I've seen before include "Be related or applicable (to something)" , "Have relevance" , "Relate (to), apply (to)" , "Be relevant, or belong as part" , "Painter (anag) - relate (to)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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