To wither or die (of a plant); to dry up or be blasted, losing vitality (often due to lack of water, cold, etc.).
水をやり忘れて観葉植物が全部枯れてしまった。
I forgot to water them and all the houseplants withered.
猛暑で庭の芝生が枯れて茶色になった。
The lawn in the garden turned brown and withered from the heat wave.
冬の寒さで若い木が枯れてしまった。
The young tree died from the winter cold.
To become mature or seasoned (of a person's style, abilities, or personality), acquiring a refined or restrained quality through experience.
長年の経験で彼の演技は枯れてきたと評価されている。
His acting is regarded as having matured and become more subtle through many years of experience.
彼女の文体は若い頃よりも枯れて、余計な言葉が減った。
Her writing style has become more spare and mature than in her youth.