shell out

verb

shelled out; shelling out; shells out

: pay

Synonyms of shell out

• 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

Per Lambrook’s official website, Middleton and William will be shelling out a tuition cost of £11,176, or $15,144, for Charlotte and £10,270, or $13,917, for Louis, per term. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 15 Sep. 2026

Americans have had to shell out more to fill up their cars in recent months as the war with Iran drives up prices at the pump. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Uniqlo, for example, agreed to shell out $125 million over five years for the field naming rights at Dodger Stadium. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 2026

If your crew wants one big memorable activity (and doesn't mind shelling out some dough), this is it. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

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