incentive

American  

[in-sen-tiv] / ɪnˈsɛn tɪv /

noun

1. something that incites or tends to incite to action or greater effort, as a reward offered for increased productivity.

   Synonyms:

   prod, goad, encouragement, impulse, incitement, spur, stimulus

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adjective

1. inciting, as to action; stimulating; provocative.

incentive British  

/ ɪnˈsɛntɪv /

noun

1. a motivating influence; stimulus

2. 1. an additional payment made to employees as a means of increasing production

   2. ( as modifier )

      an incentive scheme

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adjective

1. serving to incite to action

Synonym Usage

See motive.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• counterincentive
  noun
• incentively
  adverb
• preincentive
  noun
• nonincentive
  adjective
• superincentive
  noun

Etymology

Origin of incentive

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Late Latin incentīvus “provocative,” in Latin: “setting the tune,” from incent(us) “played” (past participle of incinere “to play (an instrument, tunes),” from in- in- ² + -cinere, combining form of canere “to sing”) + -īvus -ive

Explanation

If your mom wants you to mow the lawn but you don't feel like it, she might offer to treat you to ice cream after as an incentive. An incentive is something that stimulates you to take action or work harder. This noun dates back to Middle English, from Late Latin incentivum, from incentivus, "stimulating." In Latin, incentivus meant "setting the tune," from incinere, "to sing." The related English verb is incentivize. The less common verb incent was first used in the early 1980s, and has been criticized as business jargon.

Example Sentences

The incentive structure has changed in Maine, and with it, the way that candidates campaign.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

It’s because almost all of the major investment banks, led by Goldman Sachs, are underwriters of this massive stock issue, so they have an incentive to get the shares out the door promptly.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

First, whatever Iran’s degree of control over the strait going forward, its incentive will be to keep oil flowing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Algorithms, after all, give these priests an incentive to be flashy and address controversies.

From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026

I think Ms. G saw our initial lack of interest, so she decided to add a little incentive in order to get the class to participate a little more.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers

Related Words

• encouragement
• enticement
• impetus
• motivation
• reason
• stimulus