Many incline to be spotless (5)
I believe the answer is:
clean
'be spotless' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'many incline' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'c' (C is the Roman numeral for l00).
'incline' becomes 'lean' (synonyms).
'c'+'lean'='CLEAN'
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for clean that I've seen before include "Free from dirt; well defined" , "Laundered" , "not polluted" , "Spick and span" , "Carrying no illegal drugs" .)