# Ashes

/ˈæʃəz/ (US) · /ˈæʃɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ashes
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. burnt residue

noun · CEFR B1

the soft grey powder that is left after a fire has finished burning.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. human remains

noun · CEFR B2

the remains of a person's body after it has been burned (cremated).

For teachers: 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.

### 3. cricket trophy

noun · CEFR C1 · British English

a famous cricket competition played between England and Australia.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- He cleaned the cold ashes out of the fireplace.
- After the campfire died down, only a pile of glowing red embers and grey ashes remained in the pit.
- The volcanic eruption blanketed the surrounding villages in a thick layer of grey ashes, choking the local vegetation and forcing a total evacuation of the valley.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.