shell out

verb

shelled out; shelling out; shells out
: pay

Examples of shell out in a Sentence

we shelled out an obscene amount of money for those concert tickets
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Obviously the Dodgers have set the standard in the last couple of offseasons, shelling out wads of deferred money to Shohei Ohtani and a wave of starting pitchers. Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 On the opposite end of the spectrum, families may shell out 21% of annual income on infant care in New Mexico, where child care takes up the largest share of income, EPI finds. Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 12 Apr. 2025 Courtney Love also shelled out $2.6 million in 2001 for a fourth-floor loft, which the lead singer and guitarist of Hole and widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain offloaded in 2006 for $5 million after riling up neighbors with her famously precarious behavior. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2025 Listen to this article Over the past two summers, Alterra Mountain Company has shelled out $37 million to upgrade Winter Park’s antiquated snowmaking system, one that was installed in the late 1970s when lift tickets cost less than $12. John Meyer, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shell out

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shell out was in 1801

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Cite this Entry

“Shell out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20out. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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