foster

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To encourage or help something develop, grow, or become stronger.

   Grammar: Takes an abstract object: foster trust; do not use it without an object in this sense.

   Patterns

   • foster growth
   • foster talent
   • foster a sense of community
   • foster relations

   Good teachers foster curiosity rather than fear mistakes.

   The program is designed to foster cooperation between departments.

   Regular feedback can foster professional growth.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To care for a child who is not your biological child, usually for a limited period under an official arrangement.

   Grammar: Takes a person as object: foster a child; distinct from adopt, which is permanent.

   Patterns

   • foster a child
   • foster care
   • foster family
   • foster placement

   They decided to foster a teenager before pursuing adoption.

   The agency trains people who want to foster children.

   Her foster parents supported her through college.

Word forms

Common combinations

foster growth

Mentors foster growth by setting clear challenges.

foster a sense of community

The garden helps foster a sense of community.

foster care

The child entered foster care while the case was reviewed.

foster a child

They hope to foster a child within the next year.

Synonyms and how they differ

nurture

Similar to the abstract sense but often includes care and feeding over time.

promote

More active and public; foster can be quieter and indirect.

encourage

General support; foster stresses helping growth or development.

cultivate

Develop carefully over time, used for skills, habits, or relationships.

Opposites

Word family

foster adjective

Showing care that is not biological: foster mother, foster home.

fostering noun

The act of encouraging growth or of caring for a foster child.

Commonly confused: foster or adopt?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “foster”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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