bells and whistles
Americanplural noun
plural noun
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additional features or accessories which are nonessential but very attractive
my car has all the latest bells and whistles
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additions, such as options or warranties, made to a financial product to increase its market appeal
Etymology
Origin of bells and whistles
First recorded in 1970–75
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In other words, people may think they want trendy appliances, but they sometimes have lots of bells and whistles they don’t end up using.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
They scour dealerships for models with the fewest bells and whistles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
She said she didn't want bells and whistles - or even a wedding dress.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Sometimes it’s best to strip away all the bells and whistles and just tell a story.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
It had all the bells and whistles like AR support and 5G capabilities.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
