# incentive

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ · frequency rank #7,462

## Definitions
1. Something that motivates, rouses, or encourages.
2. A bonus or reward, often monetary, to work harder.

## Etymology
From Medieval Latin incentīvus (“that strikes up or sets the tune”), from incinō (“to strike up”), from in- (“in, on”) + canō (“to sing”). The formation appears to have been influenced by incendō (“to set on fire”).

## Easily confused with
- **intensive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incentive-vs-intensive)
- **inventive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incentive-vs-inventive)

## Common misspellings (13)
`icnentive`, `inccentive`, `incenitve`, `incenntive`, `incentiev`, `incentivve`, `incenttive`, `incentvie`, `incetnive`, `incnetive`, `inecntive`, `inncentive`, `nicentive`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/incentive