Like a number of singers (5)
I believe the answer is:
vocal
'like' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'a number of singers' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
'number' could be 'v' (V is an example) and 'v' is located in the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for vocal that I've seen before include "Talkative" , "not instrumental" , "speaking loudly" , "Articulate" , "Outspoken (e.g. criticism)" .)