high-maintenance

[ hahy-meyn-tuh-nuhns ]

adjective
  1. needing frequent or major maintenance or repair: Imported sports cars are high-maintenance.

  2. Informal. (of a person) demanding a great deal of attention, money, or effort: His high-maintenance girlfriend refuses to get engaged without a big diamond ring.

Origin of high-maintenance

1
First recorded in 1915–20 for def. 1; 1980–85 for def. 2; high + maintenance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for high-maintenance

high-maintenance

adjective
  1. (of a piece of equipment, motor vehicle, etc) requiring regular maintenance to keep it in working order

  2. informal (of a person) requiring a high level of care and attention; demanding

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012