bells and whistles

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plural noun Informal.

features added to a product; special parts or functions; extras.

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Sometimes whistles and bells .

Origin of bells and whistles

First recorded in 1970–75

Words nearby bells and whistles

bell punch, Bell purchase, bell push, bell-ringer, bells, bells and whistles, bell seat, bell-shaped curve, bell sheep, bells of Ireland, Bell's palsy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bells and whistles in a sentence

As an example of good science-and-society policymaking, the history of fluoride may be more of a cautionary tale.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
As this list shows, punishments typically run to a short-ish jail sentence and/or a moderately hefty fine.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Church bells pealed from St. Catherine of Siena parish one block away.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yes, Byrd—dead four-and-a-half years now—was a Kleagle in the Ku Klux Klan.
Steve Scalise and the Right’s Ridiculous Racial Blame Game|Michael Tomasky|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

A ban on the ringing of church bells, lifted in 1941, was reimposed.
Remembering the Russian Priest Who Fought the Orthodox Church|Cathy Young|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I take the Extream Bells, and set down the six Changes on them thus.
Tintinnalogia, or, the Art of Ringing|Richard Duckworth and Fabian Stedman
Bells were pealing and tolling in all directions, and the air was filled with the sound of distant shouts and cries.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
The Seven-score and four on the six middle Bells, the treble leading, and the tenor lying behind every change, makes good Musick.
Tintinnalogia, or, the Art of Ringing|Richard Duckworth and Fabian Stedman
These Rules (leaving out the Tenor) serves for five bells; and leaving out the fifth and Tenor, they serve for four bells.
Tintinnalogia, or, the Art of Ringing|Richard Duckworth and Fabian Stedman
On four bells there are four times as many changes as on three; that is—four times six changes, which makes Twenty-four.
Tintinnalogia, or, the Art of Ringing|Richard Duckworth and Fabian Stedman

British Dictionary definitions for bells and whistles

bells and whistles

pl n

additional features or accessories which are nonessential but very attractivemy car has all the latest bells and whistles

additions, such as options or warranties, made to a financial product to increase its market appeal

Word Origin for bells and whistles

C20: from the bells and whistles which used to decorate fairground organs

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

bells and whistles

Origin of bells and whistles

Words nearby bells and whistles

Words related to bells and whistles

How to use bells and whistles in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bells and whistles

Word Origin for bells and whistles