incentive
ihn-SEHN-tihv
Incentive (noun) means something that motivates or encourages a particular action. Example: “The shop gave customers a small incentive to return, with a stamp for every visit.”
noun
1
Something that motivates or encourages a particular action.
"The shop gave customers a small incentive to return, with a stamp for every visit."
"The company offers a cash incentive for employees who refer new hires."
"There's little incentive to work overtime if it isn't paid."
"I have no incentive to do housework right now."
How to use incentive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA reason or reward that pushes someone to do something.
Common pairings
financial incentive
tax incentive
incentive to do something
lack of incentive
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Word forms
- Plural
- incentives
- Comparative
- more incentive
- Superlative
- most incentive
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The shop gave customers a small _____ to return, with a stamp for every visit.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin incentivus, "striking up a tune," from Latin canō, "to sing" — the sense shifted to "motivating" partly under the influence of the unrelated-looking incendō, "to set on fire."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for incentive
See all rhymes for incentive →Frequently asked questions
What does “incentive” mean?
The word “incentive” means something that motivates or encourages a particular action. In plain terms, a reason or reward that pushes someone to do something.
How do you pronounce “incentive”?
“Incentive” is pronounced ihn-SEHN-tihv (/ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “incentive” in a sentence?
Here is “incentive” used in a sentence: “The company offers a cash incentive for employees who refer new hires.”
What is the opposite of “incentive”?
The opposite of “incentive” — its antonyms — is disincentive.
What part of speech is “incentive”?
“Incentive” is a noun.
Where does the word “incentive” come from?
The word “incentive” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin incentivus, "striking up a tune," from Latin canō, "to sing" — the sense shifted to "motivating" partly under the influence of the unrelated-looking incendō, "to set on fire.".
Is “incentive” a common word?
“Incentive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between an incentive and a motive?
An incentive is usually something external offered to encourage a particular action, such as a reward or bonus. A motive is the internal reason a person has for acting, which may exist even without any outside encouragement.
What is the difference between an incentive and a reward?
An incentive is offered in advance to motivate someone to act, while a reward is given afterward for something already achieved. The same thing, such as a payment, can act as an incentive beforehand and a reward once earned.
What are common collocations with incentive?
Incentive often pairs with financial, tax, cash, and added, as in "financial incentive" or "tax incentive." It is also commonly followed by "to," as in "an incentive to save."
What is the difference between an incentive and a bonus?
A bonus is one specific kind of incentive — usually an extra financial reward — whereas incentive is a broader term for anything that motivates or encourages an action. Not every incentive is money, but a bonus almost always is.
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