bells and whistles

plural noun

: items or features that are useful or decorative but not essential : frills

Examples of bells and whistles in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But now and again, a Toto comes along to pull back the curtain and show us that the wizard is just a bloke with lots of bells and whistles. Matt Slater, New York Times, 16 May 2025 For industry leaders, the takeaway is to solve real problems with technology, not add bells and whistles. David Billy, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 And fortunately, a lot of the bells and whistles never came into play since people kept getting voted out with idols in their pockets or were unable to find idols and advantages that were hidden (literally) right underneath them. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025 United Airlines is adding some extra bells and whistles to its new Boeing fleet. Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bells and whistles

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bells and whistles was in 1968

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Cite this Entry

“Bells and whistles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bells%20and%20whistles. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

bells and whistles

plural noun
: items or features that are useful or decorative but not necessary
a new car with lots of bells and whistles

More from Merriam-Webster on bells and whistles

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