What does the cryptic crossword clue "Initially tubby uncle, rather podgy, slightly thinner (5)" mean?

The definition is "thinner". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). T (first_letter="tubby") + U (first_letter="uncle,") + R (first_letter="rather") + P (first_letter="podgy,") + S (first_letter="slightly") = TURPS; definition: "thinner" The answer is Turps.

Initially tubby uncle, rather podgy, slightly thinner (5)

Telegraph Prize Cryptic #3053 | 2 Down | 2020-04-26 flower

← Back to puzzle

Visit Telegraph's puzzle site →