Crossword Genius

Beheaded chap finds wharf in better mood (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

happier

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'better mood' is the definition.
'happier' can be an answer for 'better' (thesaurus). I am not certain of the 'mood' bit.

'beheaded chap finds wharf' is the wordplay.
'beheaded' means to remove the first letter (the head of the word is removed).
'finds' says to put letters next to each other.
'wharf' becomes 'pier' (I've seen this before).
'chap' with its initial letter taken away is 'hap'.
'hap'+'pier'='HAPPIER'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for happier that I've seen before include "Gladder" , "More cheerful" , "More joyful" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app