Crossword Genius

Important German city -- it is round a lake (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

essential

'important' is the definition.
('essential' can be similar in meaning to 'important')

'german city it is round a lake' is the wordplay.
'german city' becomes 'essen' (I've seen this before).
'is round' says the letters should be written backwards.
'lake' becomes 'l'.
'it' written backwards gives 'ti'.
'essen'+'ti'+'a'+'l'='ESSENTIAL'

(Other definitions for essential that I've seen before include "Indispensable, necessary" , "something necessary" , "must-have item" , "Crucial" , "Basic or necessary" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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