Crossword Genius

We are running around, so I’m awfully dreary (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wearisome

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'dreary' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'we are running around so i'm awfully' is the wordplay.
'are' becomes 'a' (short for 'are', historical unit of measurement).
'running' becomes 're' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'around' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'awfully' is an anagram indicator.
'so'+'im'='soim'
'soim' anagrammed gives 'isom'.
're' placed around 'isom' is 'risome'.
'we'+'a'+'risome'='WEARISOME'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wearisome that I've seen before include "Boring" , "Vexatious" , "Tedious, tiring" , "pestilential" , "Trying" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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