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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
These bells and whistles are features of a new jumbo store format that Dick’s is opening across the country.
—Jemima McEvoy, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
The ship is brand-new, with a long list of technological bells and whistles designed to cut back on waste and pollution (shore power and food waste biodigesters among them).
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2024
Think safari-ready leather travel trunks but with all the bells and whistles of a modern-day case.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024
But all these bells and whistles come at a premium, and battery life was disappointing (three weeks).
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 15 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1968, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of bells and whistles was
in 1968
Dictionary Entries Near bells and whistles
Cite this Entry
“Bells and whistles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bells%20and%20whistles. Accessed 2 Jan. 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
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