Crossword Genius

Respectable fellow swimmer (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

genteel

'respectable' is the definition.
(genteel means respectable or polished)

'fellow swimmer' is the wordplay.
'fellow' becomes 'gent' (synonyms).
'swimmer' becomes 'eel' (eels swim).
'gent'+'eel'='GENTEEL'

(Other definitions for genteel that I've seen before include "Refined in taste and manners" , "Artificially polite" , "Cultured; polite" , "Courteous, well-bred" , "Terribly polite" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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