Crossword Genius

Study metal man group (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

contingent

'group' is the definition.
The answer is an example.

'study metal man' is the wordplay.
'study' becomes 'con' (con can informally mean to study).
'metal' becomes 'tin' (tin is a kind of metal).
'man' becomes 'gent' (gent is a kind of man).
'con'+'tin'+'gent'='CONTINGENT'

(Other definitions for contingent that I've seen before include "party" , "Depending (on) - part of military force" , "group of people" , "not necessary" , "Company" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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