| SETTHESCENE | Describe a situation |
| TOUCHANDGO | Phrase used to describe a situation where the outcome is hanging in the balance (5,3,2) |
| KAFKAESQUE | After a German-speaking novelist, what word describes a situation of nightmarish distortion and impending danger? (10) |
| NOWIN | What describes a situation in which a favourable outcome is impossible? (2-3) |
| RUBY | From the Latin meaning "red", a precious gemstone with a lustre known as silk that is also a word used to describe a style of port wine or a variety of grapefruit (4) |
| QUIZ | Word of nonsense from Dublin according to legend, used to describe a test of knowledge for fun, a monocle on a stick, a bandalore or a hoax (4) |
| MAELSTROM | Used figuratively to describe a turbulent situation, a Dutch word for a whirlpool or vortex such as the world's strongest off the coast of Norway (9) |
| PENTHOUSE | Historically, a lean-to or shed attached to a building, now used to describe a top-floor luxury apartment; or, any one of the sloping roofs of a real tennis court (9) |
| POTPOURRI | Word originally for a Spanish stew that is used to describe a fragrant mixture of dried petals and spices, a medley of tunes or a hotchpotch or miscellany (9) |
| BANQUETTE | French word used to describe a small often upholstered backless bench; a footbridge; or, a raised step or path behind a rampart (9) |
| BLUE | Name of a colour used to describe a third full moon in a season; or, by extension, a rare event (4) |
| BAZAAR | Persian word for a market, adopted into English to describe a fancy fair, a jumble sale or a large store selling miscellaneous goods, imitative of said souk (6) |
| CAMERA | Latin word for "chamber" used to describe a photography device, the papal treasury, a judge's private room or a round building, such as that near the Bodleian Library (6) |
| ZEPHYR | Poetic word for a gentle breeze or west wind, also used to describe a competitive rower's jersey or a fine cotton gingham for shirts (6) |
| TOUR | Word used from the 17th century to describe a journey visiting a number of places that originally meant a turn or spell of work (4) |
| COMPERE | Meaning "godfather", a French word used to describe a variety show host or a master of ceremonies (7) |
| RABBIT | Once known as a coney and protected for hundreds of years by landowners who valued it for its meat, a plant-eating animal whose name has been altered to describe a dish of cheese-and-ale sauce on toas |
| SAVOURY | Based on the Latin for "taste", a word used to describe a piquant, salty or spicy flavour as opposed to sweet; or, a dish, canape, nibble, snack etc with said umami quality (7) |
| CUISINE | From the Latin for "to cook", a French word for "kitchen" used to describe a manner, method or style of cooking; the dishes/food prepared; or, a cooking department (7) |
| BRIDE | "Always a bridesmaid, never a ___" might describe a team like the Canucks |
