Crossword Genius

Favouring half-hearted chatter? More than likely (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

probable

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'likely' is the definition.
(I know that likely can be written as probable)

'favouring half-hearted chatter? more' is the wordplay.
'favouring' becomes 'pro' (being in favour of something).
'half' becomes 'husband' (I have seen 'better half' mean 'husband' so perhaps 'half' could also mean 'husband').
'hearted' says to take the centre.
'chatter? more' becomes 'able' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
The centre of 'husband' is 'b'.
'pro'+'b'+'able'='PROBABLE'

'than' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for probable that I've seen before include "Likely to happen but not certain" , "Person most likely" , "Like to happen" , "on the cards" , "Seeming to have a good chance of happening" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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