low-maintenance

adjective

low-main·​te·​nance ˈlō-ˈmānt-nən(t)s 

-ˈmān-tə-nən(t)s

1

: requiring little care or maintenance

low-maintenance fabrics

a low-maintenance garden

What was also high on their beauty wish list? Keeping their natural hair as a basis for a look that is professional as well as low-maintenance.

—Essence

2

of a person : not tending to cause problems or demand attention : easy and pleasant to deal with or work with

"Bobby Jay is one of those high-character, low-maintenance guys you look for," said Rick Dudley, Lightning vice president of hockey operations. "He has a tremendous work ethic."

—Nancy Marrapese-Burrell

He's a rare breed, a low-maintenance White House aide.

—Fred Barnes

Examples of low-maintenance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What This Means For You IUDs are a highly effective, low-maintenance, long-acting, and reversible form of birth control. —Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 28 May 2024

Perfect for low-maintenance wearers, this spray didn’t leave our hair begging for a wash at the end of the day. —Genevieve Cepeda, Peoplemag, 21 May 2024

Six varieties of these low-maintenance beauties were bred to provide endless, bright colorful blooms from spring through late summer, weeks longer than other hydrangea types. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 20 May 2024

Typically used as Halloween decorations to display winter squash and pumpkins, straw bales can also be used to grow those vegetables in an economical, low-maintenance way. —Jessica Damiano, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2024

Sun Exposure: Full Soil Type: Well-draining Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 Sunny and long-blooming, coreopsis (or tickseed) is a low-maintenance perennial that deer rarely touch. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 May 2024

Olson Kundig is known for its use of durable and high-quality yet low-maintenance materials and their creation of one-of-a-kind dynamic mechanisms that provide both form and function. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 9 May 2024

For all the brunettes out there who just want something low-maintenance and wearable, check out this list of gorgeous mid-length brown hairstyles. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2024

This low-maintenance variety of scented geraniums can also be grown as houseplants but be aware that it is considered toxic to most pets—particularly small pets like dogs, cats, and rabbits. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1