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 The bright space is without bells and whistles, but filled with small traditional touches. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024 But this isn’t a film in thrall to star power, or indeed any cinematic bells and whistles: A late-summer thunderstorm, briefly menacing but causing no ultimate harm, represents the closest thing to a dramatic peak in screenwriter Robert Jones’s faithfully low-key adaptation. Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024 Norse Atlantic’s premium economy has recliner-style seats with ample legroom, but none of the bells and whistles of true business. Victoria M. Walker, Travel + Leisure, 12 Oct. 2024 Although the earbuds have plenty of bells and whistles, the biggest feature going for it is the form factor. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bells and whistles 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bells and whistles.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 5 Nov. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!