Crossword Genius

You, according to hearsay, look a state (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

uganda

'a state' is the definition.
(Uganda is an example)

'you according to hearsay look' is the wordplay.
'you' becomes 'u' (commonly used in online communication).
'according to hearsay' shows a homophone (sound like).
'look' becomes 'gander' (informal term for a look or glance).
'gander' sounds like 'ganda'.
'u'+'ganda'='UGANDA'

(Other definitions for uganda that I've seen before include "African state once tyrannised by Idi Amin" , "part of Africa" , "Landlocked Afr. country" , "African country once ruled by Idi Amin, capital Kampala" , "East African country, capital Kampala" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.
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