ash
ASH
Ash (noun) means the gray powdery residue left after something has burned. Example: “After the bonfire, a thick layer of ash lay across the garden.”
noun
1
The gray powdery residue left after something has burned.
"After the bonfire, a thick layer of ash lay across the garden."
"She tapped the ash from her cigarette into the tray."
"Ash from the wildfire drifted for miles and coated parked cars."
2
A hardwood tree of the genus Fraxinus, or its pale, tough timber.
"A tall ash stood at the edge of the field, its leaves turning yellow."
"Carpenters like ash for tool handles because it is strong and flexible."
"The baseball bat was made of solid ash."
3
The remains of a cremated body (usually plural, "ashes").
"He kept his father's ashes in a small wooden box on the shelf."
"The family took the ashes to the sea on a calm morning."
"Her ashes were scattered over the coast she loved."
How to use ash
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe gray residue left after burning, or (unrelated meaning) a common shade tree with tough, pale wood.
Common pairings
pile of ash
volcanic ash
ash tree
scatter the ashes
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Word forms
- Plural
- ashes
- Third person singular
- ashes
- Past tense
- ashed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After the bonfire, a thick layer of _____ lay across the garden.
Etymology
From Old English æsce, going back to a very old Germanic and Indo-European root connected to fire, burning, and dryness.
Related words
Rhymes for ash
See all rhymes for ash →Frequently asked questions
What does “ash” mean?
The word “ash” means the gray powdery residue left after something has burned. In plain terms, the gray residue left after burning, or (unrelated meaning) a common shade tree with tough, pale wood.
How do you pronounce “ash”?
“Ash” is pronounced ASH (/ˈæʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ash” in a sentence?
Here is “ash” used in a sentence: “She tapped the ash from her cigarette into the tray.”
What part of speech is “ash”?
“Ash” is a noun.
Where does the word “ash” come from?
The word “ash” comes from Old English. From Old English æsce, going back to a very old Germanic and Indo-European root connected to fire, burning, and dryness.
Is “ash” a common word?
“Ash” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “ash” have?
“Ash” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the gray powdery residue left after something has burned.
What is the difference between "ash" and "ashes"?
"Ash" is usually an uncountable mass noun for the powdery residue left by burning, as in "ash from the fire." "Ashes" is the plural, often used for the remains of something fully burned, such as "the ashes of the campfire" or cremated remains.
What is the difference between "ash" and "soot"?
Ash is the gray powdery residue left behind after something burns, while soot is the fine black powder produced by incomplete burning that clings to surfaces. Ash tends to be pale and settles as residue, whereas soot is dark and airborne.
What is the difference between the tree "ash" and "ash" from a fire?
These are two unrelated meanings of the same word. One "ash" is a hardwood tree of the genus Fraxinus with pale, tough timber, while the other is the residue left after burning.
What is the difference between "ash" and "cinders"?
Ash is the fine, gray powder that remains after burning, while cinders are the small, partly burned lumps that are coarser and heavier. Cinders may still contain unburned material, whereas ash is what is left when burning is complete.
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