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

In an era of AI, promising to save companies cash by automating white-collar jobs, the use of chatbots for guidance may be an appealing alternative to firms no longer willing or able to shell out for consultants. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026

While content creators can purchase their own tickets — often shelling out thousands for entry — many are invited by brands, some of which offer to cover airfare, accommodations and passes into the festival. —Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

In June, Meta shelled out more than $14 billion to hire Wang and some of his top engineers and researchers, soon creating Meta Superintelligence Labs as a new elite unit. —Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026

An $80 round trip to see the World Cup, in addition to shelling out for tickets is well out of reach. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 8 Apr. 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