Crossword Genius

Spent freely, reportedly, being depressed (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blue

'depressed' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'spent freely reportedly' is the wordplay.
'spent freely' becomes 'blew' (I've seen this before).
'reportedly' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'blew' sounds like 'BLUE'.

'being' is the link.

(Other definitions for blue that I've seen before include "Sad - shade" , "sometimes heard of with little boy" , "Dejected" , "It's used to whiten laundry" , "very cold" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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