incentive

[ in-sen-tiv ]
/ ɪnˈsɛn tɪv /

noun

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

adjective

inciting, as to action; stimulating; provocative.

Origin of incentive

1400–50; late Middle English < 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

SYNONYMS FOR incentive

synonym study for incentive

1. See motive.

OTHER WORDS FROM incentive

British Dictionary definitions for incentively

incentive
/ (ɪnˈsɛntɪv) /

noun

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

adjective

serving to incite to action

Derived forms of incentive

incentively, adverb

Word Origin for incentive

C15: from Late Latin incentīvus (adj), from Latin: striking up, setting the tune, from incinere to sing, from in- ² + canere to sing