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

Other Word Forms

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

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

“Our incomes are limited, and the incentive is not going to be there anymore.”

From Los Angeles Times

In May, he said the opportunity for Russia to play at the tournament could be an "incentive" to end the war in Ukraine.

From BBC

It aims to become a major international hub for the offshore renewable energy sector - made up of zones where tax incentives and lower tariffs are available to companies.

From BBC

Analysts said the uptick was propelled by price discounts and and other sales incentives from builders, who are grappling with an oversupply of newly-built homes for sale.

From BBC

Instead, the policy will create incentives to move high-tech and scientific activity to other countries, effectively offshoring economic activity that should occur in the U.S., he says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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