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
Klein critiques blue cities and states that have made building projects Democratic politicians enthusiastically support (think high-speed rail and affordable housing) exorbitantly costly and difficult to complete, due to red tape and environmental bells and whistles.
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
McNeeley talked the talk and looked the part of a professional, in a royal blue suit without sequins or any outrageous bells and whistles.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
Ultimately, specialized logistics isn’t about bells and whistles but about alignment.
—Ari Raptis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Across the gadget-verse, there’s a growing appetite for devices that strip away bells and whistles in favor of simpler, more tactile, often decades-old user experiences — re-created with 21st-century precision and luxury pricing.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bells and whistles
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
McNeeley talked the talk and looked the part of a professional, in a royal blue suit without sequins or any outrageous bells and whistles.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
Ultimately, specialized logistics isn’t about bells and whistles but about alignment.
—Ari Raptis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Across the gadget-verse, there’s a growing appetite for devices that strip away bells and whistles in favor of simpler, more tactile, often decades-old user experiences — re-created with 21st-century precision and luxury pricing.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 8 Jul. 2025.
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