Crossword Genius

Live alongside former lover on island, splitting expenses (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

coexist

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'live alongside' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'former lover on island splitting expenses' is the wordplay.
'former lover' becomes 'ex' (an ex-lover).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'island' becomes 'i' (geographical abbreviation).
'splitting' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'expenses' becomes 'cost'.
'ex'+'i'='exi'
'exi' going within 'cost' is 'COEXIST'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for coexist that I've seen before include "Live together in peace" , "Live together in harmony" , "Live together peacefully" , "Get along together" , "Avoid conflict" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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