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.
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. 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

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bells and whistles was in 1968

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bells and whistles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bells%20and%20whistles. Accessed 9 Jul. 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

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!