Crossword Genius

Not bound to play tune with the regular friends (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

untethered

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'not bound' is the definition.
The answer and definition are not the same part of speech. However, past participle verbs and adjectives can sometimes mean the same thing.

'play tune with the regular friends' is the wordplay.
'play' is an anagram indicator.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'regular' indicates alternate letters.
The alternate letters of 'friends' are 'red'.
'tune' anagrammed gives 'unte'.
'unte'+'the'+'red'='UNTETHERED'

'to' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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