Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/

Definitions of incentive

noun a thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something

Example Sentences

A1 Getting a sticker for completing homework is a good incentive for young students.

A2 Earning extra vacation days can be a great incentive for employees to work harder.

B1 Companies often offer financial incentives to encourage their employees to meet sales targets.

B2 The promise of a promotion can serve as a powerful incentive for professionals to excel in their careers.

C1 Some countries provide tax incentives to attract foreign investors to their markets.

C2 The Nobel Prize serves as a prestigious incentive for scientists and researchers to make groundbreaking discoveries.

Examples of incentive in a Sentence

formal The company offered a financial incentive to employees who met their sales targets.

informal They gave us a bonus as an incentive to work harder.

slang I need some sort of motivation, like an incentive, to get this project done.

figurative The promise of a promotion was the driving incentive behind his hard work.

Grammatical Forms of incentive

plural

incentives

comparative

more incentive

superlative

most incentive

present tense

incentivize

future tense

will incentivize

perfect tense

have incentivized

continuous tense

is incentivizing

singular

incentive

positive degree

incentive

infinitive

to incentivize

gerund

incentivizing

participle

incentivized

Origin and Evolution of incentive

First Known Use: 1600 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'incentive' originated from the Latin word 'incentivus', which means 'setting the tune' or 'inciting'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'incentive' has evolved to refer to something that motivates or encourages action or effort.