What does "incentive" mean?

1. (motivation or reward) something that makes you want to do something, like a reward for working hard. 2. (encouraging action) describing something that is designed to encourage you to act.

How do you use "incentive"?

Commonly used with the preposition 'to' followed by an infinitive, or 'for' followed by a noun. Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

incentive

n. · adj.

US //ˌɪnˈsɛnɪv// UK //ɪnsˈɛntɪv// in·cen·tive

1 motivation or reward (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate General-service

something that makes you want to do something, like a reward for working hard.

a thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something; often a formal reward offered by an organisation.

Example

The company offered a cash bonus as an incentive for finishing the project early.

Example

The government is providing tax incentives to encourage small businesses to invest in renewable energy technology.

Usage

Commonly used with the preposition 'to' followed by an infinitive, or 'for' followed by a noun.
- deterrent
- discouragement
2 encouraging action (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal Academic

describing something that is designed to encourage you to act.

serving to incite or rouse to action; typically used in technical or formal contexts regarding motivation.

Example

The manager used incentive words to get the team excited about the new goal.

Example

The report highlighted the incentive effect of the new commission structure on the sales department's overall performance.

Usage

Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
- motivating
- stimulating

Origin

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