runt

The smallest or weakest animal in a group of young animals.

contrast

A clear difference between two things.

haphazard

Not organised or planned

taut

Stretched tight and not loose.

social

Relating to society or to spending time with other people.

litter

Rubbish such as paper and bottles left in public places.

culinary

Relating to cooking or food preparation.

pensive

Thinking deeply about something

reminiscent

Reminding you of someone or something from the past.

vivid

Producing strong clear images in the mind; very bright or detailed.

extensive

Covering a large area or involving a large amount of something.

broad

Wide; covering a large area or range.

auction

A sale in which people offer competing amounts of money and the highest bidder usually buys the item.

flaw

A fault or weakness in something.

fault

A mistake defect or problem in something.

balmy

Pleasantly warm and sometimes slightly silly or foolish.

eccentric

Unusual or slightly strange in behaviour or appearance.

unconventional

Different from what is usual or generally accepted.

conform

To behave according to a rule or generally accepted way of doing things.

comply

To obey a rule order or request.

clutter

A collection of things in an untidy or disorganised arrangement.

hub

The central or most important part of an activity or place.

tangent

A completely different subject that someone starts talking about during a discussion.

amble

To walk slowly and without hurry.

tranquil

Calm peaceful and quiet.

veer

To suddenly change direction.

forlorn

Lonely unhappy and without hope.

meagre

Smaller or less than is needed or expected.

bough

A large branch of a tree.

fickle

Likely to change your feelings opinions or behaviour unexpectedly.

complement

Something that makes another thing better or completes it.

delineate

To describe or show something clearly and exactly.

jostle

To push or knock against someone while moving through a crowded place.

attentive

Giving careful attention to someone or something.

contradict

To say that something someone has said is not true or correct.

slack

Loose and not stretched tight; also not busy or active.

brooch

A piece of jewellery that is fastened to clothing with a pin.

petticoat

A piece of clothing worn under a skirt or dress.

shawl

A large piece of cloth worn around the shoulders or head.

intrusion

Something that enters a place or situation where it is not wanted or welcome.

grimace

An expression on someone's face that shows pain disgust or dislike.

mutual

Shared by two or more people or groups.

apologetic

Showing that you are sorry for something you have done.

jaunty

Cheerful and confident in appearance or manner.

marionette

A puppet controlled by strings attached to its body.

retort

A quick and often angry reply to something someone has said.

remnant

A small remaining piece or amount of something.

successor

A person who takes over a position or job after someone else.

dervish

A member of a Muslim religious group

obstinate

Very determined not to change your opinion or behaviour.

dingbat

A silly or foolish person.

inaudible

Too quiet to be heard.

coyote

A wild animal similar to a small wolf

exasperated

Extremely annoyed because you cannot solve a problem or deal with a difficult situation.

reluctant

Not willing or eager to do something.

epidemic

A large number of cases of a disease occurring in a particular place or population at the same time.

romp

To play or move around in a lively energetic way.

feeble

Weak and without much strength.

penetrate

To enter or pass through something.

symptom

A change in the body or mind that shows that someone may have an illness or health problem.

covet

To strongly want something that belongs to someone else.

introductory

Giving basic information about something before more detailed information is given.

eccentric

Unusual or slightly strange in behaviour or appearance.

bosom

The chest or breast area of a person.

plaintive

Sounding sad and full of suffering.

expedite

To make something happen more quickly.

adjacent

Next to or very close to something else.

pretence

Behaviour intended to make other people believe something that is not true.

euphoria

An extremely strong feeling of happiness excitement or wellbeing.

straddle

To sit or stand with one leg on each side of something.

perverse

Deliberately behaving in a way that is unreasonable or contrary to what is expected.

malice

A desire to harm or upset someone.

glib

Speaking easily and confidently but without showing much thought or sincerity.

medley

A mixture of different things

pitfall

A hidden problem or difficulty that is likely to cause trouble.

bray

The loud cry made by a donkey.

sanctimonious

Behaving as if you are morally better than other people.

artful

Clever at achieving what you want

protagonist

The main character in a story

impromptu

Done or said without being planned or prepared beforehand.

gallant

Brave and honourable

lukewarm

Only slightly warm; or showing little enthusiasm or interest.

adulation

Very strong praise or admiration.

detain

To officially keep someone somewhere and prevent them from leaving.

sundry

Various different things that are not specifically named.

indifferent

Not interested in or concerned about something or someone.

furtively

In a secretive way

culpable

Responsible for something wrong or deserving blame.

litigation

The process of taking legal action through the courts.

substantiate

To prove or support that something is true.

munificence

Great generosity

paradox

A situation or statement that seems impossible or contradictory but may actually be true.

mitigate

To make something less harmful unpleasant or serious.

assent

Agreement to a suggestion or request.

plagiarise

To use another person's work or ideas and present them as your own.

antiquity

The ancient past

pacify

To calm someone or stop them from being angry or upset.

phalanx

A group of people or things standing or moving closely together.

latter

The second of two people or things that have just been mentioned.

buttress

A structure built against a wall to support or strengthen it; also something that provides support.