incentive
What does "incentive" mean?
An incentive is something that motivates or encourages a person to act in a certain way, often by offering a reward. Think of it as a "nudge" or a carrot on a stick—it’s the external force that makes a specific choice more attractive or beneficial than doing nothing at all. In professional or economic settings, this term is frequently used to describe bonuses, tax breaks, or perks designed to boost performance or stimulate growth. It is a formal word, so while you might say "my boss gave me an incentive to finish early," you would rarely use it in very casual, intimate conversations.
"incentive" in conversation
Office talk about sales
Did you see the new incentive program for this quarter?
Did you see the new incentive program for this quarter?
Yes, a bonus for every ten sales is a pretty strong motivator.
Yes, a bonus for every ten sales is a pretty strong motivator.
Incentive is commonly paired with 'program' or 'bonus' in a business context.
Discussing city planning
The city is offering a tax incentive for building solar panels.
The city is offering a tax incentive for building solar panels.
That should definitely encourage more people to switch.
That should definitely encourage more people to switch.
'Tax incentive' is a frequent collocation for government-backed encouragement.
"incentive" in a sentence
They offered me an incentive to join the team.
They offered me an incentive to join the team.
The main incentive for saving money is to buy a house.
The main incentive for saving money is to buy a house.
Economic incentives are often used by governments to influence public behavior.
Economic incentives are often used by governments to influence public behavior.
