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

Pruning Skyscraper® Senecio Skyscraper® Senecio is an incredibly low-maintenance plant and requires very little pruning. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026

Communal spaces create an environment where guests and crew are encouraged to interact, while low-maintenance materials aim to maximize crew productivity. — Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Choosing the right plants, like hardy mums or sedums, ensures a low-maintenance and long-lasting display. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 7 Aug. 2026

Another sun-loving annual, geraniums (Pelargonium) are low-maintenance and offer long bloom times. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for low-maintenance

• maintenance