bells and whistles

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English

Pronunciation

Noun

bells and whistles pl (plural only)

  1. (idiomatic) Extra features added for show rather than function; fancy additions or features.
    Synonyms: gadgetry, trivialities, frills and furbelows
    Antonyms: plain, no-frills, normal, ordinary, simple, unadorned
    His new car has all the bells and whistles, but it doesn't move through traffic jams any faster.
    The bells and whistles do not impress me.
    I need a new phone, but I don’t want all those fancy bells and whistles on it!
    • 2023 May 6, James Poniewozik, “Charles III Was Crowned King. But Can He Ever Be the Star?”, in The New York Times:
      Charles’s coronation was a full-color spectacle, showing off the peacocked glory of British tradition and the bells and whistles of 21st-century TV. Britain brought out its finest garments, its finest relics, its finest rain.

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