Crossword Genius

Real ingenue abused (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

genuine

'real' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'ingenue abused' is the wordplay.
'abused' indicates anagramming the letters.
'ingenue' is an anagram of 'GENUINE'.

(Other definitions for genuine that I've seen before include "Native" , "Sincere, honest" , "Sincere; authentic" , "Not fake or counterfeit" , "'Real, unfeigned (7)'" .)

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