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Ashen: meaning, definitions and examples

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ashen

 

[ˈæʃən ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

pale

having a pale gray color; resembling ashes

Synonyms

ashy, gray, pale.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ashen

Describes a person's face or complexion that has lost its color due to shock, fear, or illness, giving it a very light, almost gray appearance.

  • After hearing the bad news, her face turned ashen
  • His ashen complexion worried the doctors
pale

Indicates a lightness of color, often used to describe someone's skin when they are unwell, scared, or naturally fair-skinned. The term can suggest a lack of vitality.

  • She went pale when she heard the scary noise
  • His skin is naturally pale and burns easily in the sun
gray

Typically used to describe colors or objects that are of a neutral, slate-like color. Can also metaphorically describe something dull or boring.

  • The sky was gray and overcast
  • His hair has turned gray over the years
  • It was a gray and lifeless office environment
ashy

Usually describes something covered in or resembling ashes, but can also refer to a person's skin when dry and flaking. It can carry a slightly negative connotation when referring to skin.

  • The old chimney was ashy after the fire
  • She applied lotion to her ashy skin

Examples of usage

  • His face was ashen with fear.
  • The ashen sky foretold the coming storm.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term 'ashen' originated from the Old English word 'æsce', which means 'ash tree', highlighting the pale color of ash.
  • Initially, it described the color of ash before extending its use to describe human expressions and other situations.

Literature

  • In literature, characters described as 'ashen' often reflect fear, death, or significant emotional distress, creating a vivid image for readers.
  • Classic poets often used 'ashen' to symbolize loss or lamentation, evoking feelings of sorrow through imagery.

Psychology

  • An 'ashen' complexion can indicate emotional states such as extreme fear, shock, or illness, providing cues to observers.
  • Color psychology suggests that gray tones, like 'ashen', can evoke feelings of uncertainty or bleakness.

Art

  • 'Ashen' shades are commonly used in painting to create atmosphere, especially in landscapes or portraits that convey mood.
  • Artists often blend 'ashen' tones with more vibrant colors to highlight emotion or depth in their work.

Pop Culture

  • The word 'ashen' appears frequently in fantasy novels, often describing characters or settings that are eerie, dead, or overly dramatic.
  • In certain films, a character's sudden change to an 'ashen' face often signals an important plot twist or climax.

Translations

Translations of the word "ashen" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cinzento

🇮🇳 राख के रंग का

🇩🇪 aschgrau

🇮🇩 abu-abu

🇺🇦 попелястий

🇵🇱 popielaty

🇯🇵 灰色の

🇫🇷 cendré

🇪🇸 ceniciento

🇹🇷 kül renginde

🇰🇷 잿빛의

🇸🇦 رمادي

🇨🇿 popelavý

🇸🇰 popolavý

🇨🇳 灰色的

🇸🇮 pepelast

🇮🇸 öskugrár

🇰🇿 күлді

🇬🇪 ფერფლისფერი

🇦🇿 kül rəngində

🇲🇽 ceniciento

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,932, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.