ash gray

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Of a pale, slightly bluish or brownish gray, like the powdery remains of a burnt fire.

   Grammar: Often placed before a noun and hyphenated: an ash-gray sky.

   Patterns

   • ash gray in color

   He wore an ash-gray suit to the interview.

   The sky turned ash gray before the storm.

   Her hair had faded to an ash-gray shade.

2. 2noununcountable

   A soft, pale gray color used in paint, fabric and hair dye.

   Grammar: Used without a before the color name: painted in ash gray.

   Patterns

   • painted in ash gray
   • a shade of ash gray

   We painted the bedroom walls ash gray.

   The sweater is available in navy, cream and ash gray.

   Ash gray is a popular choice for modern kitchens.

Common combinations

ash-gray sky

An ash-gray sky hung over the harbor.

ash-gray hair

She let her hair go its natural ash-gray.

ash-gray paint

The ash-gray paint made the room look calm.

ash-gray feathers

The dove's ash-gray feathers blended into the wall.

Synonyms and how they differ

silvery

Silvery suggests a gleaming, shiny gray, while ash gray is dull and matte.

slate

Slate is a darker, heavier gray, whereas ash gray is lighter.

charcoal

Charcoal is almost black, so it is much deeper than ash gray.

dove gray

Dove gray is a gentle, slightly warm gray, a little softer than ash gray.

Word family

ash noun

the powder left after something burns

ashen adjective

pale and gray, especially of a face

ashy adjective

covered with or like ash in color

gray adjective

the color between black and white

Commonly confused: ash gray or ash-grey?

Practice

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