Crossword Genius

Is one awfully tough, without love? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

thug

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'is one' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'awfully tough without love?' is the wordplay.
'awfully' indicates an anagram.
'without' suggests deleting specific letters.
'love?' becomes 'o' (love means zero in tennis).
'tough' with 'o' taken out is 'tugh'.
'tugh' with letters rearranged gives 'THUG'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for thug that I've seen before include "violent man" , "Violent criminal" , "Hood" , "violent gang member" , "Gorilla" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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