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Foster: meaning, definitions and examples

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foster

 

[ ˈfɒstər ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

care for

To foster means to care for someone or something, typically a child or young animal, bringing them up as if they were one's own. It involves providing love, support, and guidance to help them grow and develop.

Synonyms

nurture, raise, support

Examples of usage

  • Her aunt fostered her after her parents passed away.
  • The organization fosters abandoned puppies until they find forever homes.
Context #2 | Verb

encourage growth

To foster also means to encourage the development or growth of something. It involves promoting or helping something to develop or grow.

Synonyms

cultivate, encourage, promote

Examples of usage

  • The school aims to foster a love of learning in its students.
  • The company fosters a culture of creativity and innovation among its employees.
Context #3 | Noun

child placed in care

A foster is a child who is placed in the temporary care of a family or institution. This is usually done when the child's biological parents are unable to care for them.

Synonyms

foster home, placement, temporary care

Examples of usage

  • She grew up as a foster in various homes before being adopted.
  • The agency is looking for foster families to take in children in need.

Translations

Translations of the word "foster" in other languages:

🇵🇹 promover

🇮🇳 पालन-पोषण करना

🇩🇪 fördern

🇮🇩 memelihara

🇺🇦 сприяти

🇵🇱 sprzyjać

🇯🇵 促進する (sokushin suru)

🇫🇷 favoriser

🇪🇸 fomentar

🇹🇷 teşvik etmek

🇰🇷 촉진하다 (chokjin hada)

🇸🇦 تعزيز

🇨🇿 podporovat

🇸🇰 podporovať

🇨🇳 促进 (cùjìn)

🇸🇮 spodbujati

🇮🇸 efla

🇰🇿 қолдау

🇬🇪 წახალისება

🇦🇿 dəstəkləmək

🇲🇽 fomentar

Etymology

The word 'foster' originated from the Old English word 'fostrian', which means to nourish or rear. It has been used in English since the Middle Ages, initially referring to the act of bringing up a child who is not one's biological offspring. Over time, the word expanded to include other forms of care and encouragement, reflecting its modern meanings of nurturing, promoting, and supporting growth.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,529 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.