What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ashen
Example
Her face turned ashen when she heard the bad news. [ashen: adjective]
Example
The sky had an ashen hue as the sun set behind the clouds. [ashen: adjective]
gray
Example
He wore a gray suit to the job interview. [gray: adjective]
Example
Her gray hair made her look wise beyond her years. [gray: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gray is more commonly used than ashen in everyday language. Gray is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ashen is less common and is mainly used to describe specific situations such as complexion or colors resembling ash.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ashen and gray?
Both ashen and gray can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, gray is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations, making it slightly more formal than ashen.
