incentive

UK: /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ US: /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ ,(in sen′tiv)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•cen•tive /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/   n. 

1. something that arouses someone to action:
   [uncountable] very little incentive to work.
   [countable] gave incentives to the farmers.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•cen•tive  (in sen′tiv), n. 

1. something that incites or tends to incite to action or greater effort, as a reward offered for increased productivity.

adj. 

2. inciting, as to action;
   stimulating;
   provocative.

• Late Latin incentīvus provocative, Latin: setting the tune, equivalent. to incent(us) ( past participle of incinere to play (an instrument, tunes); in- in-² + -cinere, combining form of canere to sing) + -īvus -ive
• late Middle English 1400–50

in•cen′tive•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. stimulus, spur, incitement, impulse, encouragement; goad, prod. See motive. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

incentive / ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ noun

1. a motivating influence; stimulus
2. an additional payment made to employees as a means of increasing production
3. (as modifier): an incentive scheme

adjective

1. serving to incite to action

Etymology: 15th Century: from Late Latin incentīvus (adj), from Latin: striking up, setting the tune, from incinere to sing, from in-² + canere to sing