noun / adjective
incentive
in-SEN-tiv/ɪnˈsentɪv/
Something that encourages action.
The cash reward provides an incentive to mow the lawn.
Etymology
The singing root appears in a verb meaning “strike up,” behind an adjective meaning “setting the tune.” That adjective developed the sense “inciting,” leading to something that stirs a person to act.
In context
then a further tax incentive for instance to create this fin Financial incentive for us to do the right thing
More examples
- Several incentives encouraged participation.
- They revised the incentive plan.
- The offer was an incentive.
Forms
incentive · incentives
incentivize verb — encourage with a reward or benefit
Similar words
- motivation
- The reason or drive to act, not necessarily an offered benefit.
- inducement
- Something offered to persuade action.