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
Sometimes a vacation destination doesn’t need to have all the bells and whistles to make for a memorable experience.
—
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
For instance, a Murphy bed with a cabinet or desk attached will take up significantly more room (closed or open) than a classic Murphy bed without those bonus bells and whistles.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
Though there are no bells and whistles like a spa, gym, or tennis courts — the lodge really just provides a comfortable, convenient option for overnight stays.
—Mariette Williams, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
The first season had some impressive action sequences, but nothing with quite the bells and whistles of this one.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bells and whistles
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.
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
For instance, a Murphy bed with a cabinet or desk attached will take up significantly more room (closed or open) than a classic Murphy bed without those bonus bells and whistles.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
Though there are no bells and whistles like a spa, gym, or tennis courts — the lodge really just provides a comfortable, convenient option for overnight stays.
—Mariette Williams, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
The first season had some impressive action sequences, but nothing with quite the bells and whistles of this one.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share