Definition of INCENTIVE

incentive

Plural: incentives

Noun

  • a positive motivational influence
  • an additional payment (or other remuneration) to employees as a means of increasing output
  • Something that motivates, rouses, or encourages.
  • A bonus or reward, often monetary, to work harder.

Adj

  • Inciting; encouraging or moving; rousing to action; stimulating.
  • Serving to kindle or set on fire.

Examples

  • I have no incentive to do housework right now.
  • Management offered the sales team a $500 incentive for each car sold.

Origin / Etymology

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”).

Antonyms

disincentive

Scrabble Score: 14

incentive: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
incentive: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
incentive: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

incentive: valid Words With Friends Word