English Explanatory Dictionary

high-maintenance

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Requiring a high degree of maintenance to ensure proper functioning, and without which it is likely to break down.
  2. Requiring a lot of attention or reassurance; emotionally needy

Word forms

high-maintenance more high-maintenance most high-maintenance

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....

Antonyms

low-maintenance

Related words

brittle finicky temperamental
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