Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Spherical shape”
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Answer: ORB – 3 letters
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Clue number and direction: 3 Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Spherical shape” is answered with ORB in 3 letters. In the February 14, 2026 NYT Mini, ORB appears at 3-Across.
Why ORB Is the Right NYT Answer
An orb is literally a round or spherical object, so it matches the clue “Spherical shape” in a direct, definition-style way. The Mini grid gives a three-letter Across slot, which strongly favors ORB over longer options like SPHERE.
Answer rundowns and helper sites for the February 14, 2026 NYT Mini all list ORB at 3-Across for this clue, confirming it as the intended fill.
What ORB Means
In simple terms, an orb is a ball, globe, or round object—anything with a clearly spherical shape. You might see “orb” used poetically for the sun or moon, or in fantasy contexts for magical glowing spheres.
Here, the puzzle uses the most neutral sense: “orb” as “spherical shape,” with no extra wordplay layered on.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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For clues like “Globe shape,” “Round body,” or “Ball-like shape” with 3 letters, ORB is usually the best candidate.
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Compare with BALL: that’s 4 letters, so in a 3-letter slot “spherical shape” almost always means ORB, not BALL.
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If crossings give you O_B or _RB and the clue mentions “spherical,” “round,” or “globe,” ORB should be your first guess.
Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern & Crossings
In the February 14, 2026 NYT Mini, 3-Across is a 3-letter entry, which matches ORB exactly. The filled pattern is:
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ORB(O‑R‑B)
Each letter is confirmed by Down answers like BRAVER, ABIGAIL, ORBITED, RHODES, COWED, and NURSE, so once you fill those, O‑R‑B is fully supported by crossings. That eliminates ambiguity with other short “round” words.
Other Clues That Might Use ORB
ORB is common in crosswords and can show up with clues such as:
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“Globe”
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“Spherical object”
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“Round thing”
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“Regal sphere” (when referring to a royal orb)
Any 3-letter clue mixing “round/spherical” with “shape/object” is a strong candidate for ORB if the grid length matches.
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 |
