Crossword Genius

Stayed to be declared sober (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

staid

'sober' is the definition.
('staid' can be a synonym of 'sober')

'stayed to be declared' is the wordplay.
'to be declared' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'stayed' is a homophone of 'STAID'.

(Other definitions for staid that I've seen before include "Sedate, unadventurous" , "Calm, respectable and unadventurous" , "Stiff; serious minded" , "Restrained (in character)" , "Unadventurous, dull" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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