Crossword Genius

Cheerful boy being listened to (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sunny

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

'being listened to' is the wordplay.
'being' becomes 'sun' (sun is a kind of being).
'listened to' becomes 'ny' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'sun'+'ny'='SUNNY'

'boy' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sunny that I've seen before include "Genial, cheerful" , "Bright and cheerful" , "Bright and warm" , "Cheerful - cloudless" , "Unclouded - cheerful" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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