incentive Meaning & Definition
What Does Incentive Mean?
As a noun, incentive means Something that motivates, rouses, or encourages. It can also mean A bonus or reward, often monetary, to work harder. As an adjective, it means Inciting; encouraging or moving; rousing to action; stimulating.
Incentive: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ |
| Synonyms | inducement and bonus |
| Antonyms | deterrence and disincentive |
| Plural | incentives |
| Comparative / superlative | more incentive, most incentive |
Incentive Definition (Noun)
- Something that motivates, rouses, or encourages.
I have no incentive to do housework right now.
- A bonus or reward, often monetary, to work harder.
Management offered the sales team a $500 incentive for each car sold.
Incentive as an Adjective
- Inciting; encouraging or moving; rousing to action; stimulating.
- Serving to kindle or set on fire.
Synonyms of Incentive
Incentive synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Incentive
Incentive in a Sentence
I have no incentive to do housework right now.
Management offered the sales team a $500 incentive for each car sold.
Word Forms & Grammar
incentive (plural incentives)
incentive (comparative more incentive, superlative most incentive)
Words That Rhyme With Incentive
Origin of Incentive
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”).
Frequently Asked Questions About Incentive
Is incentive a noun or an adjective?
Incentive is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective.
What is another word for incentive?
Close synonyms of incentive are inducement and bonus. See the full list of incentive synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of incentive?
The opposite of incentive can be expressed with words like deterrence and disincentive.
What is the plural of incentive?
The plural of incentive is incentives.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of incentive?
The comparative form is more incentive and the superlative form is most incentive.