Crossword Genius

Hated getting unusually dry inside — happy to be this? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hydrated

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'happy to be this?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun but the answer is not.

'hated getting unusually dry' is the wordplay.
'getting' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'unusually' is an anagram indicator.
'dry' anagrammed gives 'ydr'.
'hated' placed around 'ydr' is 'HYDRATED'.

'inside' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hydrated that I've seen before include "Watery" , "so after a drink" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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