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.
The contracts include a lot of bells and whistles, pricing them higher than what a commercial customer might pay. ArsTechnica, 5 Apr. 2025 There aren’t many bells and whistles with this spray, which is why our testers loved it. Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2025 For a starter home without many bells and whistles, an average price per square foot could be in the low hundreds, though a more realistic estimate would be somewhere between $200 and $250 per square foot. Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2025 Amenities and Entertainment Due to its size, Charcot doesn't have the innumerable bells and whistles that are common on mega-ships. Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 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 16 Apr. 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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