Crossword Genius

Reportedly a tiny hole is unacceptable (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

poor

'unacceptable' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'reportedly a tiny hole' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'a tiny hole' becomes 'pore' (I've seen this in another clue).
'pore' sounds like 'POOR'.

'is' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for poor that I've seen before include "(Person) with little money" , "Of inferior standard" , "Mere" , "Lacking means; paltry" , "Hard-up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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