Crossword Genius

Posh private among soldiers — a considerable number! (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

umpteen

'a considerable number' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'posh private among soldiers' is the wordplay.
'posh' becomes 'u' (abbreviation for upper-class - opposite to non-U).
'private' becomes 'pte'.
'among' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are placed among others).
'soldiers' becomes 'men' (men can mean a group of soldiers).
'pte' put into 'men' is 'mpteen'.
'u'+'mpteen'='UMPTEEN'

(Other definitions for umpteen that I've seen before include "An uncountable number" , "Unspecified large number" , "Lots of things on pet menu" , "Quite a lot of (sl)" , "Guarded" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app