Crossword Genius

Commonplace sound of spring around river (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

boring

'commonplace' is the definition.

'sound of spring around river' is the wordplay.
'sound of spring' becomes 'boing' (onomatopoeic representation of a spring's sound).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'river' becomes 'r'.
'boing' enclosing 'r' is 'BORING'.

(Other definitions for boring that I've seen before include "Tedious, tiresome" , "Drilling - it's monotonous" , "Mentally wearying" , "Dull and repetitive, a turn-off" , "Tedious and tiring" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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