Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Colossus of ___ (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World)”
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Answer: RHODES – 6 letters
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Clue number and direction: 5 Down
The New York Times crossword clue “Colossus of ___ (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World)” is answered with RHODES (6-letter entry) in the February 14, 2026 NYT Mini.
Why RHODES Is the Right NYT Answer
The Colossus was a giant statue that stood on the Greek island of Rhodes, so the blank in “Colossus of ___” must be RHODES. The clue even reminds you it is “one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World,” which specifically refers to the Colossus of Rhodes in historical lists of the wonders.
In the February 14, 2026 Mini, 5-Down is a 6-letter slot, and helper pages confirm RHODES as the solution, so it matches both the surface clue and the exact letter count.
What RHODES Means
RHODES is the name of a Greek island in the southeastern Aegean Sea. In antiquity, it was a major maritime and cultural center, and it became famous for erecting the Colossus of Rhodes, a massive bronze statue of the sun god Helios, around the 3rd century BCE.
The statue was later destroyed by an earthquake, but the island’s name remains strongly tied to this Wonder, which is why crosswords regularly use RHODES in clues referencing the Colossus.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
Clues that reference the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World often target specific place names such as RHODES, GIZA, or BABYLON. When you see “Colossus of ___,” “Greek island with a famous colossus,” or “Home of the Helios statue,” RHODES should be top of mind.
If your grid shows a pattern like R_O_E_ for a 6-letter wonder-related clue, think RHODES once crossings confirm the H and D. Keeping a mental list of the Seven Wonders and their locations is a reliable crossword strategy.
Complete February 14, 2026 NYT Mini Answers Today (Across & Down)
Here are the key answers from the February 14, 2026 NYT Mini to help you complete the full grid.
Across
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Org. with a Slam Dunk Contest | NBA | 3 |
| Menacing creature in “The Lord of the Rings” | ORC | 3 |
| Spherical shape | ORB | 3 |
| Greek “r” | RHO | 3 |
| Symbol on Hawaii’s license plate | RAINBOW | 7 |
Down
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| More courageous | BRAVER | 6 |
| Virginia governor Spanberger | ABIGAIL | 7 |
| Went around the world? | ORBITED | 7 |
| Colossus of ___, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World | RHODES | 6 |
| Intimidated | COWED | 5 |
