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

While many bushes require frequent trimming or pampering, these low-maintenance beauties thrive without the need for constant care. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

The same goes for low-maintenance plants that may need watering only every week or two. —Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026

Gatherpoint offers an array of 947 new homes, from low-maintenance two-story townhomes and attached garden villas to two collections of single-family homes for all life stages. —Pulte Homes, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026

The neighborhood’s low-maintenance ranch homes come in multiple styles ranging from two to three bedrooms and from around 1,500 to 2,750 square feet, officials have said. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for low-maintenance

• maintenance