Crossword Genius

Friendly with a soft associate (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pally

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

'with a soft associate' is the wordplay.
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'a soft' becomes 'p' (musical abbreviation for 'piano').
'associate' becomes 'ally' (ally is a kind of associate).
'p' next to 'ally' is 'PALLY'.

(Other definitions for pally that I've seen before include "Very familiar" , "Thick" , "Close, friendly" , "Intimate" , "China may be so" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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