| ATOMISE | Using only half the letters, I initially spell "exotic spray" (7) |
| ABET | Support only half the letters? |
| MINIM | In calligraphy, what is a short vertical stroke, as in the letters i, m, n, u? (5) |
| DOTTED | Like the letters i and j |
| ENSUE | It will result from Sue using only half an em (5) |
| UNEVENTFUL | It's odd to have tea, so they say, using only half a potful, though it's hardly noteworthy |
| SCARLET | Bright red mark joined half the letter (7) |
| RIPOSTE | The letter I posted contains the answer (7) |
| EDITORS | Recipients of letters I sorted wrongly (7) |
| LATERAL | According to the letter I must get taller! (7) |
| IMPASSE | I initially managed to overtake at the last stand-off (7) |
| PETUNIA | Plant, favourite French one, I initially acquired (7) |
| FIDELIO | Sloshed, I initially fell over in opera (7) |
| INSIGHT | Wisdom I initially spotted in darkness (7) |
| ANGELIC | A new hair product I initially collected, being saintly (7) |
| OKINAWA | All right, I initially never asked, what about a Japanese island (7) |
| URANIUM | Game turned round: possibly I initially underestimated Man U (7) |
| DOTTING | completing the letter "i" |
| PLUMMET | Shirt (top I initially drop) (7) |
| ARCHAIC | Out of date leading article I initially cut |
