Gen Y appear to be stupid (5)
I believe the answer is:
dopey
'stupid' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'gen y appear' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'y' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'dope' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'to be' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dopey that I've seen before include "Doc's slow-witted pal" , "Idiotic" , "One of Seven Dwarfs - not too bright" , "Half asleep, or not too bright" .)