ashy
Americanadjective
-
ash-colored; pale; wan.
an ashy complexion.
-
of or resembling ashes.
an ashy residue.
-
sprinkled or covered with ashes.
adjective
-
of a pale greyish colour; ashen
-
consisting of, covered with, or resembling ash
Etymology
Origin of ashy
First recorded in 1350–1400, ashy is from the Middle English word asshy. See ash 1, -y 1
Vocabulary lists containing ashy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Bessette’s former hair colorist, Brad Johns, reflected on the wig’s hair color as “burnt” and ashy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026
For millions across northern India, the November air tastes ashy, the sky looks visibly hazy and merely stepping outside feels like a challenge.
From BBC • Nov. 15, 2025
There are no plans to scrape away the ashy sediment as part of the wildfire debris removal process, as doing so could cause coastal erosion and destroy marine habitat, officials said.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2025
As the lava flowed, the volcano also unleashed a series of rare explosive blasts that sent ashy plumes rocketing thousands of meters skyward.
From Science Magazine • May 27, 2024
I peeked through my crusty eyes as a fungal zoo of a toe prodded my arm, and a grizzled, bearded face framed by ashy predawn light leaned over me.
From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
