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

He revealed he is working on a bipartisan federal film incentive proposal that would be competitive with what other countries are offering for film productions.

From Los Angeles Times

Every risky firm has an incentive to claim it is safe.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company said its U.S. income subject to taxes was lowered by new and bigger tax incentives for research and investment in last year’s tax law.

From The Wall Street Journal

The changes are being rolled out as a mix of voluntary acts, soft restrictions and incentives to cut demand.

From The Wall Street Journal

Such advice can be politically difficult, he admitted, but energy prices meant people had a "big incentive" to adopt new strategies.

From BBC

Related Words

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