Synonyms

bells and whistles

American

Sometimes whistles and bells

plural noun

Informal.

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

bells and whistles British

plural noun

additional features or accessories which are nonessential but very attractive

my car has all the latest bells and whistles
additions, such as options or warranties, made to a financial product to increase its market appeal

"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

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.

However, a horrendous first end - during which the Italians stole four points - left them chasing in front of a raucous home crowd armed with horns, bells and whistles.

From BBC

While premium VPN providers offer unlimited bandwidth and all the bells and whistles, free VPNs can be a great option if you only need occasional privacy protection, want to try before you buy, or just need basic security for everyday browsing.

From Salon

Not to go all Charlie Brown here – and yes, a Peanuts-themed fireplace exists on the Interwebs – but might we introspect about these commercialist and consumerist bells and whistles leading us astray?

From Salon

There are no ads, paywalls, dark patterns, or bells and whistles at all.

From Slate

But in a digital age of flashier bells and whistles, why are comics appealing to them?

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023