How to Pronounce “incentive”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/
- British (UK)
- /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/
What “incentive” means
noun — Something that motivates, rouses, or encourages.
Example: I have no incentive to do housework right now.
Pronunciation Notes
The final e is silent. The transcription /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “incentive” is not pronounced.
Where the stress falls. “incentive” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "incentive" mean?
incentive (noun): Something that motivates, rouses, or encourages. For example — I have no incentive to do housework right now.
How do you pronounce "incentive" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "incentive", /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.
What is the IPA transcription of "incentive"?
/ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ in American English, /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "incentive"?
“incentive” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
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