English Explanatory Dictionary

incentive

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Something that motivates, rouses, or encourages.
  2. A bonus or reward, often monetary, to work harder.
adj
  1. Inciting; encouraging or moving; rousing to action; stimulating.
  2. Serving to kindle or set on fire.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-incentive.wav

Word forms

incentive incentives more incentive most incentive

Etymology

From Medieval Latin incentīvus (“that strikes up or sets the tune”), from incinō (“to strike up”), from in- (“in, on”) + canō (“to sing”) + -ive. The formation appears to have been influenced by incendō (“to set on fire”).

Antonyms

disincentive

Derived words

counterincentive eco-incentive incent incentify incentiveless incentively incentivise incentivize misincentive nonincentive tax incentive
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