Crossword Genius

National lad free to change (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

federal

'national' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'lad free to change' is the wordplay.
'to change' is an anagram indicator.
'lad'+'free'='ladfree'
'ladfree' with letters rearranged gives 'FEDERAL'.

(Other definitions for federal that I've seen before include "In alliance" , "Of the state" , "Relating to central government in the US" , "(Of a union or government) involving states voluntarily joined together for common purposes" , "Red flea (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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