1. very pale, especially from shock, fear, or illness
2. of a grayish-white color like ash

Examples

• Her face turned ashen when she heard the terrible news.
• The patient looked ashen and weak after the surgery.
• His ashen complexion worried his family.
• The ashen sky threatened rain all morning.
• She had ashen hair that gleamed silver in the sunlight.
• The witness became ashen as he testified.
• The old man’s ashen beard made him look distinguished.