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

Pleasingly low-maintenance, a butterfly cut doesn’t actually require all that much styling, hence its appeal during the social whirl of the summer months. —Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 25 June 2025

From picnics to soccer games to lazy days on the sand, a water-resistant blanket or tarp is ideal for on-the-go families thanks to its wipeable and low-maintenance design. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 21 June 2025

There’s no shame in the faux foliage game, and this low-maintenance fiddle leaf plant promises to never die on you. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2025

These deer-resistant perennials are an excellent low-maintenance addition to the garden for blooms from late spring to early fall, depending on the variety. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for low-maintenance

• maintenance