Crossword Genius

Dirty like certain lakes? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tarnish

'dirty like certain lakes?' is the definition.
'tarnish' can be an answer for 'dirty' (thesaurus). I am unsure of the 'like certain lakes?' bit.

'dirty like' is the wordplay.
'dirty' becomes 'tarn' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'like' becomes 'ish' (similar in meaning).
'tarn'+'ish'='TARNISH'

(Other definitions for tarnish that I've seen before include "Lose shine" , "Mountain lake" , "Lose lustre; sully" , "(Of metal) lose lustre" , "Stain or blemish, perhaps a reputation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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