Inwardly gloomy child is malcontented (6)
I believe the answer is:
dismal
'inwardly gloomy child is malcontented' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'inwardly gloomy child is malcontented' is the wordplay.
'inwardly' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (I've seen this in other clues).
'DISMAL' is hidden within 'gloomy child is malcontented'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dismal that I've seen before include "Sad and dreary" , "Depressing in character or appearance" , "not a cheerful outlook ..." , "Pessimist -- is my jam mild? (anag)" , "'Gloomy, grim (6)'" .)