shell out

verb

shelled out; shelling out; shells out

: pay

Synonyms

• spend
• pay
• lay out

Examples of shell out in a Sentence

we shelled out an obscene amount of money for those concert tickets

Recent Examples on the Web

By offering varied experiences through different seating options at an array of price points, the company is hoping people from near and far see value in shelling out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to attend the big race. —Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

Diamond sponsors shell out $20,000 in exchange for their logos to be displayed on a street banner, T-shirts and other festival signage, among other perks. —Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

There’s no legitimate reason businesses need to be shelling out money for lawyers and civil penalties over such things. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 25 June 2025

One reason Pixar movies have a bigger price tag is because the company shells out more money to produce its films in the United States. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 23 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shell out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout