Standard Lemma guide

low-maintenance

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Retaining proper functionality over long periods of time with little or no maintenance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Of a person: self-sufficient and not requiring much attention.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

According to the Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, the figurative sense was popularized by the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally....

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: pflegeleicht — retaining proper functionality over long periods of time with little or no maintenance
  • German: wartungsfreundlich — retaining proper functionality over long periods of time with little or no maintenance
  • French: autonome — of a person: self-sufficient and not requiring much attention