Agency Dictionary
Incentive
nounPronunciation: /ɪnˈsɛn.tɪv/
In Portuguese: Incentivo
Economics & Finance
Psychology & MindWhat does “Incentive” mean?
A motivating factor, reward, or condition that incites or encourages an individual or business to take action.
Etymology
From Late Latin incentivum, from the Latin adjective incentivus, "that strikes up or sets the tune", from incinere, "to strike up, to sound", from in- ("in, upon") and canere ("to sing"). The original idea was of setting the pitch that others follow. Late Latin already used the adjective for what incites, and English has had the noun since the 15th century for a stimulus or motive that encourages action.
Synonyms
- motivation
- stimulus
- inducement
- spur
- encouragement
Word family
- incentivize
- incentivization
Rhymes with
- inventive
- preventive
- attentive
- retentive
Usage examples
Not so much for the job itself, but as an incentive to start a conversation and create something together.
Concept
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
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