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

For those not wanting or needing to shell out for the full boxed sets, there will be distillations available, in the form of two-LP and two-CD deluxe (as opposed to super deluxe) versions with a 16-track second disc of demos and sessions. — Chris Willman, Variety, 29 July 2026

Fox paid $485 million for the rights to the 2026 World Cup, while Telemundo shelled out $600 million for the Spanish-language telecasts. — Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

The couple had to shell out approximately $4,000 before they were allowed to leave the ship. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

As of late July, Hoban said she's spent about $8,000 so far and will likely shell out roughly $4,000 more for landscaping and decorating. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 20 July 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