Family / B1

FOST-uh/ˈfɒstə/

To foster is to encourage development: foster growth; foster good relations. It also means to care for a child as a foster carer / foster parents. Encourage is everyday; promote is a policy twin. Do not mix foster with forester. UK social care: foster placements.

Meaning

To encourage something to develop; also to look after a child as a foster carer.

Examples

• “The scheme aims to foster reading in the first year of secondary.”
• “She has fostered three children, which is the care sense.”

Good to know

foster growth / skills / relations. Care: foster carer / placement. Everyday: encourage. Policy: promote. Mix-up: forester.

Near in meaning

encourage

Topics

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