ashen

¹

[ ash-uhn ]

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.

ashen

²

[ ash-uhn ]

adjective

1. pertaining to the ash tree or its timber.
2. made of wood from the ash tree.

ashen

¹

/ ˈæʃən /

adjective

1. drained of colour; pallid
2. consisting of or resembling ashes
3. of a pale greyish colour

ashen

²

/ ˈæʃən /

adjective

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

Word History and Origins

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

“I turned completely ashen, completely pale,” Beck remembers.

From The Daily Beast

They forecast an endless and ashen winter for the country that began as a brilliant idea.

From The Daily Beast

Jerry Sandusky was alert but ashen as he stood at the defense table to hear his fate.

From The Daily Beast

When the ashen Silda Spitzer appeared with her husband Eliot, it was the last straw.

From The Daily Beast

His hair was darker—almost brown save at the temples, where age had faded it to an ashen colour.

From Project Gutenberg

His face is ashen gray; the black beard is streaked with red, and blood is oozing from his neck.

From Project Gutenberg

Lamb saw an ashen-face bespectacled man peering around the corner of an ell.

From Project Gutenberg

They paused, aghast, and they turned ashen; and then in the mind of each arose the same explanation of this phenomenon.

From Project Gutenberg

His good-looking young face turned to an ashen hue, and his eyes were wild and staring.

From Project Gutenberg