foster

/ˈfɑː.stɚ/

Say it: FOS-ter

1. verb To encourage or promote the development of something, typically something regarded as good.
The teacher's main goal is to foster a love of learning in her students.
2. verb To bring up a child that is not one's own by birth for a period of time, with the agreement of the parents or a social services agency.
They decided to foster a child who needed a stable home.
3. adjective Relating to or concerned with the temporary care of a child in a family other than their own.
He spent three years in a foster home before being reunited with his mother.

📖 Seen in the wild

The school aims to foster a love of learning in all its students.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ foster in a sentence

The new economic policy is designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
As a manager, I try to foster a sense of teamwork and open communication.
The couple has fostered more than a dozen children over the past twenty years.
She fostered a secret hope that things would eventually get better.
We're fostering a dog from the shelter to see if she's a good fit for our family.
The university strives to foster an environment of intellectual curiosity and debate.
Good mentorship can foster the skills needed for a successful career.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

nurture promote encourage cultivate stimulate advance further support

nurture · implies more intensive, hands-on care and protection, as with a living thing.

promote · suggests more active, often public or official, efforts to advance something.

encourage · focuses on giving confidence or hope to help something develop.

cultivate · implies a slow, deliberate process of development, like tending a garden.

Opposites: suppress, stifle, inhibit, discourage, neglect

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'foster' traces back to the Old English 'fōstrian', meaning 'to nourish' or 'to rear', which itself comes from 'fōda', the word for 'food'. This direct link to providing sustenance has broadened over time. The meaning evolved from literally feeding someone to figuratively nurturing anything that needs support to grow, such as a child, an idea, or a community.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

foster a sense of communityfoster growthfoster innovationfoster a childfoster parentfoster home

'Foster' implies gentle, long-term encouragement and support. It is less forceful than 'promote' and more about development than 'support'. Be mindful of its two distinct meanings. In the context of family, 'foster' specifically refers to the temporary care of a child, which is different from 'adoption', a permanent legal arrangement. This distinction is important and should not be confused.

Word family: fostering, fosterage

💬 Quick answers

What does the word 'foster' mean?

It has two main meanings: to encourage the development of something (like an idea or skill), or to provide temporary care for a child who is not your own by birth.

What is the difference between 'foster' and 'adopt'?

Fostering a child is a temporary arrangement to provide care, often overseen by the state. Adoption is a permanent legal process that makes the child a full member of your family.

What is the difference between 'foster' and 'nurture'?

They are very similar, but 'nurture' often implies more direct, hands-on care and protection, like for a living thing. 'Foster' can be used more broadly for abstract concepts like 'community' or 'innovation'.

Is 'foster' a positive word?

Yes, 'foster' has a strong positive connotation. It suggests providing beneficial support, care, and encouragement that helps something or someone to grow and develop.

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