ashen

¹ American  

[ash-uhn] / ˈæʃ ən /

adjective

1. ash-colored; gray.

   Synonyms:

   ashy

2. extremely pale; drained of color; pallid.

   His face was ashen.

   Synonyms:

   colorless, pasty

3. consisting of ashes.

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ashen ² American  

[ash-uhn] / ˈæʃ ən /

adjective

1. pertaining to the ash tree or its timber.

2. made of wood from the ash tree.

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ashen ¹ British  

/ ˈæʃən /

adjective

1. drained of colour; pallid

2. consisting of or resembling ashes

3. of a pale greyish colour

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ashen ² British  

/ ˈæʃən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or made from the ash tree or its timber

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Etymology

Origin of ashen¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; ash ¹, -en ²

Origin of ashen²

before 1000; Middle English, Old English; ash ², -en ²

Example Sentences

And while that ashen cross is being applied, the priest reminds us of a stark biblical lesson: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

Legislators looked ashen and somber, and one of their number, Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., declared it “one of the most troubling things” he’d ever witnessed.

From Salon • Dec. 8, 2025

A massive scorched branch sat atop much of the ashen rubble, crushing a mangled and melted computer monitor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2025

When Eric Trump walked out during the morning break—before most of these fireworks had even happened—he looked absolutely ashen.

From Slate • May 7, 2024

Wildly they turned and scanned the walls in the long room for arms; but not a shield, not a good ashen spear was there for a man to take and throw.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer