Word
ashes
Phoneticsash·es, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæʃəz/
UK/ˈæʃɪz/
Definitions
01burnt residue
B1 · Intermediate Plural noun
n. the soft grey powder that is left after a fire has finished burning.
n. the solid remains of a fire, consisting of the non-combustible mineral components of the fuel.
“He carefully cleaned the cold ashes out of the fireplace the next morning.”
“Volcanic ashes covered the surrounding farmland, creating a thick layer of grey dust that choked the local vegetation.”
02human remains
B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun
n. the remains of a person's body after it has been burned (cremated).
n. the cremated remains of a human body, often kept in an urn or scattered in a significant location.
“The family decided to scatter his ashes in the ocean as he had requested.”
“According to the deceased's final wishes, his ashes were interred in the family plot beneath the ancient oak tree.”
Usage
Always used in the plural form in this context.
Synonyms
03cricket trophy
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Sports British English
n. a famous cricket competition played between England and Australia.
n. The name of the biennial Test cricket series played between England and Australia.
“England and Australia are currently competing for the Ashes this summer.”
“The captain's primary objective for the season was to reclaim the Ashes after a disappointing tour of Australia the previous year.”
Usage
Always capitalized and preceded by 'the'.
Real-World Examples
“Specially trained dogs help find the ashes of people who had been cremated.” “The ashes of up to 300,000 people remain unclaimed at funeral parlours across the UK, according to an industry group.” “Families may keep a “minimal” part of the ashes in a place of significance to the deceased, but the remainder must be placed in a sacred place such as a cemetery.” “Urns and other vessels used to store human ashes rarely survive a wildfire, so archaeologist Alex DeGeorgey is well aware that this task—recovering the ashes of a person among the ashes of a house—seems implausible.” Idioms
In Music
Cover shown under fair use for identification and commentary.
Ashes to Ashes · 1980
- Artist:
- David Bowie
- Album:
- Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
David Bowie released this art pop track in 1980 as a sequel to his earlier hit about an astronaut named Major Tom. The title uses the word to represent the remains of a fire, serving as a metaphor for the character's physical and mental decline. It reflects the artist's own struggles with addiction during that decade.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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