Crossword Genius

Sentimentality and a dash of dreaminess can be excellent (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

good

'be excellent' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'sentimentality and a dash of dreaminess' is the wordplay.
'sentimentality' becomes 'goo' (informal term for sentimentality).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a dash of' indicates taking the first letters (a small amount of the word).
The initial letter of 'dreaminess' is 'd'.
'goo'+'d'='GOOD'

'can' is the link.

(Other definitions for good that I've seen before include "Well done! Health-giving" , "promoting welfare" , "benefit" , "Beneficial" , "To be desired; pleasing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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