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

With the landscape project completed last December, the Elliotts now have a safe, low-maintenance landscape that is filled with attractions for humans and dogs. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026

The dry, often hot, and sunny weather in the region requires low-maintenance plants to withstand these harsh conditions. —Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026

Mangaves are low-maintenance and typically hardy to about 25 degrees, depending on the variety. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026

Iris&Romeo is low-maintenance makeup meets high-performance skin care -- created for women 40 and up. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for low-maintenance

• maintenance