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Definition of 'bells and whistles'

bells and whistles in British

plural noun
1. 
additional features or accessories which are nonessential but very attractive
my car has all the latest bells and whistles
2. 
additions, such as options or warranties, made to a financial product to increase its market appeal
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'bells and whistles'
C20: from the bells and whistles which used to decorate fairground organs

bells and whistles in American

Informal
inessential, usually showy features or additions; frills
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Example sentences containing 'bells and whistles'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Linda had enough bells and whistles in her kitchen for a fire station. Elizabeth Lowell TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH (2001)

Nearby words of 'bells and whistles'

  • bellpull
  • bellpush
  • bells
  • bells and whistles
  • bells of Ireland
  • bellwether
  • bellwort

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'B'

Source

Definition of bells and whistles from the Collins English Dictionary

Prepositions

A preposition is one of a small but very common group of words that relate different items to each other. Most English prepositions have a number of meanings that are particular to each preposition. ...
Read more about 'Prepositions'
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