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

Replace hard-to-mow areas with garden beds or low-maintenance groundcovers that require less energy. — The Spruce, 25 Aug. 2026

Common sage or garden sage (Saliva officinalis) is another low-maintenance herb that does very well in containers. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2026

For beginners, or those looking for low-maintenance growing, choosing bare-root, self-pollinating fruit trees is particularly beneficial. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 19 Aug. 2026

These 10 pairs are the ultimate secret to a low-maintenance travel capsule wardrobe. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for low-maintenance

• maintenance