Crossword Genius

Usually a friend to a little boy (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

normally

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'usually' is the definition.
(I know that usually can be written as normally)

'a friend to a little boy' is the wordplay.
'a friend' becomes 'ally' (an ally is a friend or supporter).
'to a' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'little boy' becomes 'norm' (I have seen 'Small boy' mean 'norm' so perhaps 'boy' could also mean 'norm'. I am not sure about the 'little' bit.).
'ally' after 'norm' is 'NORMALLY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for normally that I've seen before include "Ordinarily, usually" , "By and large" , "In the ordinary or typical way" , "In the usual or average situation" , "Generally, usually" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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