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.
Kids might gravitate at first to the toys with the most bells and whistles — like, for example, these cursed electronic stuffies that emit bloodcurdling screams when thrown. Anna North, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024 KitchenAid Pro Line and Professional Series stand mixers KitchenAid Professional Series mixers have all the bells and whistles. Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 4 Nov. 2024 This kitchen will have tons of space and all the bells and whistles that a celebrity chef could want — within reach of an earnest but admittedly still-learning home chef. Aly Walansky, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 Aptly titled Britney: Piece of Me, the 90-minute show featured over two dozen hits, incorporating classics and fan favorites with the bells and whistles of her typical pop production. James Dinh, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2024 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

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 24 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!