Added 9 October 2026
incentive
/ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ noun
In Latin: incitāmentum Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about incentive at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A positive motivational influence.
- An additional payment (or other remuneration) to employees as a means of increasing output.
Origin
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”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)