high-maintenance

adjective

high-main·​te·​nance ˈhī-ˈmānt-nən(t)s 

-ˈmān-tə-nən(t)s

1

: requiring a large amount of care or maintenance

The high-maintenance "Dracula" orchid constantly needs high levels of humidity and cooler temperatures.

—Victoria Colliver

They can't even afford the high-maintenance hairdos, let alone the Adidas sweats.

—Gerri Hirshey

2

of a person : tending to cause problems or demand attention : extremely sensitive, demanding, or temperamental

Playing the victim gets you absolutely nowhere, and it only makes you seem tiring and high-maintenance to your boss.

—Cosmopolitan

Matthäus is the greatest German sweeper since Beckenbauer, but he's high-maintenance. At various times in his career, he has accused a ref of taking bribes, scrapped with a teammate and, three years ago, ripped his universally beloved German teammate Jürgen Klinsmann in a tell-all book.

—Jeff Bradley

Examples of high-maintenance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the world of baking, cheesecakes are on the high-maintenance spectrum. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026

Sustainability in focus Some clients are turning away from high-maintenance setups and instead leaning into sustainable options for their outdoor kitchens, says Daniel Germani, creative director of Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens. —Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2026

High Maintenance Gardens JoLynn Tarantino, a real estate agent at ReeceNichols Real Estate, says high-maintenance gardens are at the top of her list of projects not worth the investment. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 11 Mar. 2026

The effect is striking but never flashy, and expensive without appearing high-maintenance. —Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for high-maintenance

• maintenance