foster
FOSS-ter
/ˈfɒstər/
To encourage or promote the development of something; to bring up a child that is not one's own by birth.
As a verb, foster can mean to nurture a feeling or idea, or to temporarily parent a child. As an adjective, it describes a temporary family arrangement.
The story behind the word. Foster comes from the Old English verb 'fostrian,' which meant 'to nourish, bring up, or support.' This was directly derived from 'fostor,' meaning 'food' or 'nourishment.' It shares an ancient Germanic root with 'food' and 'feed.' Thus, to foster someone is, at its most basic level, to feed them.
Word relationships
- adopt: Adopt means to legally and permanently make a child one's own, whereas foster refers to providing temporary care and shelter.
- promote: Promote means to actively encourage or publicize a cause, while foster implies a more hands-on, nurturing cultivation over time.
- stifle: Stifle means to suppress or crush the development of something, which is the exact opposite of fostering it.
- abandon: Abandon means to completely desert or leave behind, reversing any act of fostering.
Commonly confused with
- adopt: Fostering is temporary care supported by the state, while adoption is a permanent, legally binding family integration.
Word family
- fostering (noun): The system or act of bringing up a foster child.
- fosterling (noun): An archaic term for a foster child.
Collocations
- foster child
- foster parent
- foster care
- foster growth
Example sentences
- "The social worker placed the young boy with a loving foster family while his mother recovered from her illness." Describing a temporary family placement.
- "The manager worked hard to foster a spirit of collaboration and open communication among her team members." Metaphorical use in a business context.
Memory hook
To foster is to offer 'food and shelter' to help someone grow. Foster is about feeding and nurturing.
When not to use
Do not use foster to describe permanent, legally finalized adoptions, as foster care is structurally temporary.
Fun facts
- In ancient Irish and Norse societies, 'fosterage' was a common practice where noble families sent their children to be raised by other families to build strong political alliances.
Related words
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