Crossword Genius

Trashy part, hardly colourful (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ashy

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'colourful' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'trashy part hardly' is the wordplay.
'ASHY' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I am not sure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ashy that I've seen before include "Cinders must have been this" , "Leaden" , "Wan" , "Like burnt residue" , "like Cinders" .)

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