Vocabulary in context
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Foster
To encourage the development or growth of something; to nurture and support.
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Imagine This
Imagine a patient teacher who waters the seeds of a student’s curiosity day after day. Each early question is a seed; over time, curiosity sprouts into confident problem-solving and creative thinking.
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Sounds Like
FOSS-ter
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Looks Like
Looks like 'forest' (similar letters).
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Remember This
Foster is commonly used with growth, development, talent, relationships, or economies (foster growth, foster talent, foster relationships, foster economic development). The noun form 'foster' refers to a person who provides temporary care for a child.
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Other Forms
fosteringnoun/verb (gerund or present participle)
fosteredverb (past tense)
fosterernoun
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Connect With
nurture, cultivate, promote, encourage, support
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Note
Use foster to mean nurture or promote. It does not imply legal adoption. Common collocations include foster a relationship, foster growth, foster innovation, and foster care. Be careful not to confuse with 'forest' or proper names like 'Foster.'
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The mentor works to foster a sense of curiosity in her students.
- Cities often implement programs to foster small-business growth and innovation.
Synonyms
nurturecultivateencouragepromotesupport
Antonyms
hinderstifleimpede
Etymology
From Old English fosterian, meaning to nourish or feed; extended to mean to nurture or care for; the sense evolved to include promoting development.
Mnemonic
FOSTER = Feed Openly, Support Tendencies, Encourage Results
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Heed
verbTo pay attention to something; to notice and consider it, often in order to act on it.
Insist
verbTo demand something forcefully or to assert something firmly, often with little tolerance for disagreement.
Predictable
adjectiveAble to be foreseen or expected; likely to occur or behave in a way that can be predicted, often implying a lack of surprise.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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