Crossword Genius

Pipe conservation group makes smooth (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fluent

'smooth' is the definition.
(I know that smooth can be written as fluent)

'pipe conservation group' is the wordplay.
'pipe' becomes 'flue' (flue is a kind of pipe).
'conservation group' becomes 'NT' (abbreviation for National Trust).
'flue'+'nt'='FLUENT'

'makes' is the link.

(Other definitions for fluent that I've seen before include "Able to express oneself easily" , "Competent (of language) - graceful (of movement)" , "Free-flowing" , "Easily able to speak and write" , "Easy, rapid (speech)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Sun.
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