Crossword Genius

Boys have nothing, or a great deal (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

loads

'a great deal' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'boys have nothing' is the wordplay.
'boys' becomes 'lads' (lad is a kind of boy).
'have' is an insertion indicator.
'nothing' becomes 'O' (looks like zero - 0).
'lads' enclosing 'o' is 'LOADS'.

'or' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for loads that I've seen before include "Plenty (informal)" , "Tons, lots" , "Charges; plenty" , "very much" , "in quantity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app