colossus of rhodes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2formal, historical, literary
Quick answer
What does “colossus of rhodes” mean?
An enormous statue of the Greek sun god Helios, erected on the Greek island of Rhodes in the 3rd century BCE. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An enormous statue of the Greek sun god Helios, erected on the Greek island of Rhodes in the 3rd century BCE. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
A very large and impressive statue; by extension, any person or thing of enormous size, importance, or influence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. Both varieties use it primarily as a historical/literary reference.
Connotations
Historical grandeur, ancient engineering marvel, immense scale. Sometimes used to imply something is unsustainable or destined to fall.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to historical, artistic, or metaphorical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “colossus of rhodes” in a Sentence
[subject] was/stood like the Colossus of Rhodesa Colossus of Rhodes of [abstract noun, e.g., industry, finance]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “colossus of rhodes” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective. The related adjective is 'colossal'.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective. The related adjective is 'colossal'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The corporate colossus dominated the market.' The specific 'of Rhodes' is rarely used.
Academic
Used in history, archaeology, art history, and classical studies to refer to the specific Wonder.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used in travel contexts or in metaphors for something very large.
Technical
Used in historical engineering discussions regarding its construction and collapse.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colossus of rhodes”
- Incorrect: 'Colossus from Rhodes' (standard is 'of').
- Incorrect: Using lowercase for the proper noun 'Colossus' when referring specifically to the Wonder.
- Incorrect: 'The Rhodes Colossus' (possible but less standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most modern historians doubt it straddled the harbour. It was likely standing on a pedestal near the harbour entrance.
Ancient accounts suggest it was approximately 33 metres (108 feet) tall, about the height of the modern Statue of Liberty.
Yes. A 'colossus' is any gigantic statue or a person/thing of great size, power, or influence. e.g., 'He is a colossus of the music industry.'
The lowercase 'colossus' is used metaphorically (e.g., 'a corporate colossus'). The full 'Colossus of Rhodes' is less common in these contexts, used for dramatic, historical comparison.
An enormous statue of the Greek sun god Helios, erected on the Greek island of Rhodes in the 3rd century BCE. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Colossus of rhodes is usually formal, historical, literary in register.
Colossus of rhodes: in British English it is pronounced /kəˌlɒs.əs əv ˈrəʊdz/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˌlɑː.səs əv ˈroʊdz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a Colossus with feet of clay (derived from the related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COLOSSAL statue with RODS of metal holding it up, standing over a RHODodendron-covered island.
Conceptual Metaphor
GREAT SIZE IS HEIGHT/STATURE; IMPORTANCE IS PHYSICAL SIZE; HISTORY IS A TANGIBLE MONUMENT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the Colossus of Rhodes most commonly used as in modern English?