How to pronounce incentive
Say it like in-SEN-tiv. Incentive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce incentive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- SEN
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Incentive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of incentive
American and British speakers say incentive in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈsɛntɪv/ in the US and /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-SEN-tiv.
What does incentive mean?
- a positive motivational influence
- an additional payment (or other remuneration) to employees as a means of increasing output
Where does incentive come from?
From Medieval Latin incentīvus (“that strikes up or sets the tune”), from incinō (“to strike up”), from in- (“in, on”) + canō (“to sing”) + -ive.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with incentive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of incentive.
Questions about saying incentive
How do you pronounce incentive?
Say in-SEN-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈsɛntɪv/. In British English it is /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in incentive?
Incentive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN). Broken into parts: in · SEN · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say incentive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈsɛntɪv/ and the British form is /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.