1For a plant to wither, dry up, or die — typically due to lack of water or nutrients, or cold weather.
旅行中に水をやれず、観葉植物が枯れてしまった。
I couldn't water them while I was traveling, and the houseplants withered.
冬になると庭の花が枯れて茶色くなる。
When winter comes, the flowers in the garden wither and turn brown.
日照りが続き、田んぼの稲が枯れてしまった。
The drought continued, and the rice in the paddies withered away.
古い桜の木が枯れたので、新しい木を植えることにした。
The old cherry tree died, so we decided to plant a new one.
2Of a person's character, skill, or art, to mellow and become refined or seasoned through years of experience.
彼の芸は年齢とともに枯れてきて、無駄がなくなった。
His artistry has mellowed with age, and there's no wasted movement left in it.
晩年の作品は若い頃に比べて枯れた味わいがある。
His later works have a mellow, understated quality compared to those of his youth.