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

---

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

---

adjective

1. serving to incite to action

Related Words

See motive.

Other Word Forms

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

Example Sentences

“There’s this huge game theory incentive to be the first one to leave versus stick around, even if you think the fundamentals are fine,” said Brian Jacobs, a portfolio manager at Aptus Capital Advisors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

And there isn’t very much the term-limited governor, playing out his final months in office, can offer as incentive to quit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

The FCA banned DCAs in 2021, arguing they provide an incentive for a buyer to be charged a higher-than-necessary interest rate, leaving them paying too much.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

State pensions in most of Europe remain more generous than U.S. social security, reducing the incentive to build nest eggs in the market.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

He would have no incentive to be kind.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Related Words

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