DEATHLY PALE is a phrase used to describe someone who looks very pale, often due to illness or fear. The two crossword solutions for this term are ASHY (4 letters) and ASHEN (5 letters). ASHY is an adjective that means having a greyish or dull colour, while ASHEN is an adjective that means having a greyish or deathly pallor. Both words can be used to describe someone who looks very pale, as if they have seen a ghost.