Ashen
/ˈæʃən/
adjectiveBeginner📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
Of a pale grayish-white color like ash.
/ˈæʃən/
adjectivenegativeBeginner
General
Having the pale gray color of ash.
Her face was ashen after hearing the bad news.
💡 Simply: Very pale, like ash.
More Examples
2
The ashen landscape stretched before them.
How It's Used
Descriptive
"His face was ashen with fear."
From Old English *æsc, meaning ash tree, referring to the color of ash.
Historically, the word's connection to ash has led to its use in describing the color of death or despair.
Memory tip
Think of the pale color of ashes after a fire.
Word Origin
LanguageOld English
Original meaning
"Ash tree, referring to its color"
ashen faceashen complexionashen hue
Common misspellings
ashinashenn
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written