Role model is generous, putting former partner first (7)
I believe the answer is:
example
'role model' is the definition.
'example' can be an answer for 'model' (synonyms). I'm unsure of the 'role' bit.
'generous putting former partner first' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'generous' could be 'ample' (similar in meaning) and 'ample' is found in the answer.
'former' could be 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime) and 'ex' is present in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'is' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for example that I've seen before include "not the actual version" , "Specimen, sample" , "Standard" , "Ideal - specimen" , "Illustrative exercise" .)