Do puzzles: loves cryptic (5)
I believe the answer is:
solve
'do puzzles' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'loves cryptic' is the wordplay.
'cryptic' indicates an anagram (a cryptic or obscure order of the letters).
'loves' with letters rearranged gives 'SOLVE'.
(Other definitions for solve that I've seen before include "Find the answer or explanation" , "Person living voluntarily outside their own country" , "Find the answer to a mystery" , "Complete crossword" , "Work out (a problem)" .)