high-maintenance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "high-maintenance" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that requires a lot of attention, care, and servicing, such as a person who likes to be constantly spoiled by their friends or a car that needs frequent repairs. For example: "I'm afraid my boyfriend's quite high-maintenance. He always needs me to constantly give him compliments and buy him gifts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Film

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Very high-maintenance, plays.

The Guardian - Books

"I'm not being high-maintenance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's a high-maintenance house".

The New York Times

"That's a high-maintenance relationship".

The New York Times

"These weren't high-maintenance kids," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

The high-maintenance backlash has arrived.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

High maintenance.

Independent

"They're high maintenance.

Independent

"I'm high maintenance.

The New Yorker

High maintenance was the worst.

The New York Times

Neurotic, high maintenance, insomniac.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing people, use "high-maintenance" to convey they require significant emotional support or attention. For objects, it indicates frequent servicing or upkeep is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "high-maintenance" for simple preferences. It implies a burden or excessive demand, not just a particular taste.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "high-maintenance" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they require significant attention, care, or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing. Examples show it describing people, objects, and systems.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Film

10%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "high-maintenance" is an adjective phrase used to describe something or someone demanding significant attention or effort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears frequently across various contexts, including News & Media and Lifestyle, denoting its wide acceptance and understanding. Alternatives include "demanding" and "needy", each adding a nuanced layer of meaning. When employing this phrase, ensure it genuinely reflects excessive demands and isn't merely a description of personal preferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demanding

Focuses on the characteristic of requiring much from others.

requiring constant care

Emphasizes the continuous need for attention and upkeep.

needy

Emphasizes the emotional need for attention and reassurance.

particular

Suggests having very specific preferences and expectations.

fussy

Indicates being overly concerned with minor details.

difficult to please

Highlights the challenge in satisfying the person or thing.

hard to handle

Focuses on the difficulty in managing or dealing with someone or something.

exacting

Implies strict requirements and attention to detail.

labor-intensive

Used more for objects or tasks that require considerable work.

resource-intensive

Describes something that consumes a lot of resources, not necessarily attention.

FAQs

How to use "high-maintenance" in a sentence?

You can use "high-maintenance" to describe a person, object, or system that requires a lot of attention or effort. For example, "That car is so "high-maintenance"; it's always in the shop" or "She admits she's a bit "high-maintenance", but she's worth it".

What can I say instead of "high-maintenance"?

You can use alternatives like "demanding", "needy", or "difficult to please" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "high-maintenance" or "highly maintained"?

"High-maintenance" describes something that requires a lot of maintenance. "Highly maintained" describes something that has received a lot of maintenance. The correct choice depends on what you want to express.

What's the difference between "high-maintenance" and "demanding"?

"High-maintenance" often implies a need for constant attention and care, while "demanding" suggests someone who makes a lot of requests or expects a lot from others. While both can be similar, "high-maintenance" often carries a connotation of emotional neediness or excessive upkeep.