Crossword Genius

Friend, without hesitation, getting Boy's Own (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

personal

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

'own' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'friend without hesitation getting boy's' is the wordplay.
'friend' becomes 'pal' (pal can mean a friend).
'without' indicates putting letters inside ('without' can be similar in meaning to 'outside').
'hesitation' becomes 'er' (sound made while hesitating - um, er).
'getting boy' becomes 'son' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'er'+'son'='erson'
'pal' enclosing 'erson' is 'PERSONAL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for personal that I've seen before include "Individual; advert (column)" , "Pertaining to the self" , "Such a rude remark" , "Wounding" , "Of one individual" .)

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