Dismal listener in parched surroundings (6)
I believe the answer is:
dreary
'dismal' is the definition.
(I know that dismal can be written as dreary)
'listener in parched surroundings' is the wordplay.
'listener' becomes 'ear' (body part which hears or listens).
'in parched' becomes 'dry' (similar in meaning. I am not sure about the 'in' bit.).
'surroundings' indicates putting letters inside.
'ear' placed within 'dry' is 'DREARY'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dreary that I've seen before include "Depressingly dull" , "Gloomy - dull" , "Drab and depressing" , "Cheerless and dull" , "Dismal, funereal" .)