Great many boys have nothing (5)
I believe the answer is:
loads
'great many' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'boys have nothing' is the wordplay.
'boys' becomes 'lads' (lad is a kind of boy).
'have' is an insertion indicator.
'nothing' becomes 'O' (looks like zero - 0).
'lads' going around 'o' is 'LOADS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for loads that I've seen before include "bags" , "Heavy weights to be carried" , "Burdens, cargoes" , "Washing jobs" , "A great many" .)