Crossword Genius

Pragmatist about to join the elite (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

realist

'pragmatist' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'about to join the elite' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 're' (regarding**).
'to join' says to put letters next to each other.
'the elite' becomes 'alist'.
're'+'alist'='REALIST'

(Other definitions for realist that I've seen before include "One without illusions" , "Pragmatic type" , "Writer like Balzac" , "Retails like practical person" , "Non-dreamer?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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