Incentive
/ɪnˈsɛntɪv/
nounB2
Definition
An incentive is a reason or reward that makes someone want to do a particular action. It can be money, praise, or any benefit that encourages behavior. People often respond to incentives because they want to gain something or avoid a loss.
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See It in Action
A reward or benefit that encourages action
- •The company gave bonuses as incentives to employees who worked hard.
- •Tax breaks are incentives for businesses to invest in new equipment.
- •A good salary can be an incentive to accept a job offer.
Something that encourages people to behave in a certain way
- •The government created incentives to reduce pollution.
- •Parents use incentives like extra playtime to encourage children to finish chores.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "incentive" like "reason," but it is a special reason that makes you want to do something more strongly
- ✓Picture a teacher giving a gold star to students who finish their homework—this star is an incentive to work harder
- ✓It’s the feeling when you want to do your best because you know there is a prize or reward waiting
- ✓Sounds like "in-SENT-tiv" → imagine someone sending a gift to encourage you to start a task
- ✓Think of a story where a character works hard because they want a reward, like a prize or respect, pushing them forward
- ✓NOT like "command" (an order you must follow), an incentive is a choice to act because you want the reward
- ✓NOT like "punishment" (bad result to avoid), an incentive is a positive reason to do something
- ✓NOT like "motivation" (general feeling), an incentive is a specific thing that causes motivation
Try Other Words
- •Motivation: internal drive or feeling that pushes someone to act (Use when focusing on internal feelings rather than external rewards)
- •Reward: something given to recognize good work or behavior (Use when emphasizing the positive gift or prize itself)
- •Encouragement: support or confidence given to make someone do something (Use when focusing on emotional support rather than material benefit)
- •Bonus: extra payment to encourage good work (Use when talking about money given as incentive)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "in-" (into, toward) + "cent" (from Latin "centum" meaning to sing, but here from "sentire" meaning to feel) + "-ive" (adjective suffix meaning related to)
- •Etymology: From Latin "incentivum," meaning something that sets the tune or melody, later used metaphorically for something that moves or encourages
- •Historical development: Originally related to music or speech prompting action, now means a reason or reward to encourage behavior
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in business, economics, and psychology to describe rewards or reasons that encourage actions or decisions
Reflect & Connect
•What types of incentives do you respond to best in your daily life, and why?
•How can incentives be both helpful and harmful in motivating people?
Fill in the blanks
1.The company offered a financial incentive ___ employees to finish projects early.
2.A good incentive often makes people feel more ___ to work hard.
3.Unlike punishment, an incentive encourages action by offering a ___.
4.Parents sometimes use incentives like extra screen time ___ children to complete homework.
5.A salary increase is an incentive that can ___ someone to stay in a job longer.
6.When there is no clear incentive, people may feel less ___ to perform well.
7.Governments create incentives ___ people and businesses to act in ways that help the environment.