Crossword Genius

The most elegant steamship on Earth, clearly (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

classy

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the most elegant' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'steamship on earth clearly' is the wordplay.
'steamship' becomes 'ss' (nautical abbreviation).
'on' is an insertion indicator.
'earth clearly' becomes 'clay' (clay is a kind of earth. I am not sure about the 'clearly' bit.).
'ss' put into 'clay' is 'CLASSY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for classy that I've seen before include "Sophisticated, stylish" , "Stylish (slang)" , "Informally stylish and superior" , "Sophisticated (colloq.)" , "Elegant and fashionable, posh" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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