incentive

[ in-sen-tiv ]

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

adjective

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

incentive

/ 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

adjective

1. serving to incite to action

Derived Forms

• inˈcentively, adverb

Other Word Forms

• in·centive·ly adverb
• counter·in·centive noun
• nonin·centive adjective
• prein·centive noun
• super·in·centive noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incentive¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of incentive¹

C15: from Late Latin incentīvus (adj), from Latin: striking up, setting the tune, from incinere to sing, from in- ² + canere to sing

Synonym Study

See motive.

Example Sentences

“If you’re in power because of your ties to the leader ... you have an incentive to remain loyal no matter what,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

“President Trump promised mass deportations and by removing the monetary incentive for illegal aliens to come and stay, we will encourage them to self-deport,” the spokeswoman, Elizabeth Huston, told me by email.

From Los Angeles Times

Consumer Watchdog contends in its lawsuit that allowing policyholder surcharges will not give insurers more incentive to write more policies in risky neighborhoods.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year, Newsom proposed an increase to the state’s program, which would more than double the money allocated annually to incentives from its current total of $330 million to $750 million.

From Los Angeles Times

If Trump goes ahead with the tariffs, Le said Vietnam could try to offset the impact by lowering corporate tax rates further, or offering more incentives for companies that invest in local factories.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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