Crossword Genius

In the open air better? Endlessly worse! (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

outdoors

'in the open air' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'better? endlessly worse' is the wordplay.
'better?' becomes 'outdo' (bettering is a kind of outdoing**).
'endlessly' indicates the central letters (the ends of the words are removed).
The central letters of 'worse' are 'ors'.
'outdo'+'ors'='OUTDOORS'

(Other definitions for outdoors that I've seen before include "Not in a building" , "Al fresco" , "abroad" , "Is that great?" , "Alfresco" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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