cinzento, pálido, cor de cinza
1. Of the color of ash; grayish or pale
The sky turned ashen after the volcanic eruption.
O céu ficou cinzento após a erupção vulcânica.
2. Very pale, especially from shock, fear, or illness
Her face turned ashen when she heard the bad news.
Seu rosto ficou pálido quando ouviu a má notícia.
3. Made of or resembling ash
The ashen residue covered the entire landscape.
Os resíduos cinzentos cobriram toda a paisagem.
4. Lacking color or liveliness; dull or lifeless
He gave an ashen response to the exciting proposal.
Ele deu uma resposta sem entusiasmo à proposta empolgante.
In both Brazilian and American English, 'ashen' is commonly used in literature and formal speech to describe both literal grayish colors and figurative states of extreme paleness due to shock or illness. In Brazil, the term is recognized but 'pálido' is often preferred in everyday speech when describing a person's frightened or sickly appearance.
Related Idioms & Phrases
ashen-faced: looking very pale or shocked
turn ashen: to become very pale suddenly
ashen complexion: a very pale appearance indicating illness or distress
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