INCENTIVE


Meaning of INCENTIVE in English

I. ə̇nˈsentiv, -tēv also -t-əv noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin incentivum, from neuter of Latin incentivus

: something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action : something (as fear or hope of reward) that constitutes a motive or spur : inducement

money is still a major incentive in most occupations

his father's promise of a bicycle was a real incentive to harder study

Synonyms: see motive

II. (ˈ)in|s-, ənˈs- adjective

Etymology: Late Latin incentivus, from Latin, setting the tune, from incentus (past participle of incinere to set the tune, from in- in- (II) + -cinere, from canere to sing) + -ivus -ive — more at chant

1.

a. : serving to encourage, rouse, or move to action : stimulative : motivative in a particular direction or course

increasing needs are often incentive to invention

this charming book is incentive to further study

b.

(1) : designed to enhance or improve production especially in industry

incentive pay

disadvantages of an incentive system

(2) : concerned with, based on, or employing incentive measures or techniques in business or industry

incentive management

long-term incentive experience

incentive studies

2. obsolete : serving to set on fire : kindling

• in·cen·tive·ly -tə̇vlē, -li adverb

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.