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

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

Dealers often have access to automakers’ incentive programs, which allow them to offer a lower rate than banks, sometimes as low as 0%.

From The Wall Street Journal

Over the past few years, builders have preferred to offer sales incentives to lure buyers, but are now forced to cut prices.

From MarketWatch

Because all states participate on equal terms, there is a classic agency problem in monitoring, with no individual member having adequate incentive to make the necessary efforts.

From The Wall Street Journal

A decline in Norway was expected after the country ended most of its incentives for EVs this year.

From MarketWatch

The plan combines steps to deal with uranium enrichment with economic incentives and security commitments.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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