incentive

Something that encourages you to do something.

• The prize gave us an incentive to try.
• There is little incentive to save money at these interest rates.
• What incentives would encourage people to use buses?

How to use it: incentive to do something (The discount gives customers an incentive to buy early.); incentive for someone (Flexible hours are an incentive for new employees.)

Similar words: motivation, encouragement, inducement

Opposites: disincentive

Common phrases: an incentive to work, a strong incentive, provide an incentive, incentive to improve

Extra money or another reward offered to encourage people to work harder.

• Workers receive a small cash incentive.
• The company offered incentives for selling more phones.
• Did everyone earn the performance incentive this month?

How to use it: incentive for doing something (Staff receive an incentive for meeting their sales targets.)

Similar words: bonus, reward

Common phrases: a cash incentive, a performance incentive, financial incentive