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
This place has all the bells and whistles — neuro-strength and brain-mapping technology, hyperbaric chambers, infrared saunas, compression therapy, electromagnetic therapy and massage therapy.
—
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2024
This year's model adds lots of bells and whistles — such as bringing the fundamentals model directly into the forecasting model, instead of running it separately and importing predictions — and, importantly, created the ability for 538 to make predictions for major third-party candidates.
—G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 11 June 2024
Apple today showed off the latest versions of its mobile operating systems, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, adding some nice-to-have bells and whistles, like the option to schedule iMessages and customization options for Control Center and the Home screen.
—Chloe Albanesius, PCMAG, 10 June 2024
Extra bells and whistles include a large 13-inch 4K entertainment screen, water bottle pouch and separate cupholder, power outlet and USB-A and -C charging ports.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for bells and whistles 
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2024
This year's model adds lots of bells and whistles — such as bringing the fundamentals model directly into the forecasting model, instead of running it separately and importing predictions — and, importantly, created the ability for 538 to make predictions for major third-party candidates.
—G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 11 June 2024
Apple today showed off the latest versions of its mobile operating systems, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, adding some nice-to-have bells and whistles, like the option to schedule iMessages and customization options for Control Center and the Home screen.
—Chloe Albanesius, PCMAG, 10 June 2024
Extra bells and whistles include a large 13-inch 4K entertainment screen, water bottle pouch and separate cupholder, power outlet and USB-A and -C charging ports.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 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.
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 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share