Head of routinely joyful family (7)
I believe the answer is:
related
'head of routinely joyful family' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'head of routinely joyful' is the wordplay.
'head of' says to take the initial letters.
'joyful' becomes 'elated' (synonyms).
The first letter of 'routinely' is 'r'.
'r'+'elated'='RELATED'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for related that I've seen before include "Connected by blood or marriage" , "Told; akin" , "similar" , "Treadle (anag) - akin" , "Having family links" .)