foster child: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Legal, Social Work, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “foster child” mean?
a child who is raised by people who are not their biological or adoptive parents, as part of a temporary or permanent legal arrangement overseen by a government authority.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a child who is raised by people who are not their biological or adoptive parents, as part of a temporary or permanent legal arrangement overseen by a government authority.
A person or thing that has been nurtured or developed by someone or something other than its natural source, often used metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Terminology is identical and standard in both legal and everyday contexts. The associated legal system (fostering vs. foster care) differs, but the term 'foster child' remains constant.
Connotations
Neutral to formal. Carries implications of state intervention, potential trauma, and a caring family environment. No significant difference in connotation between BrE and AmE.
Frequency
Common in both varieties, with similar frequency in news, social policy, and personal narratives.
Grammar
How to Use “foster child” in a Sentence
[child] is a foster child[parents] have a foster childto take [child] as a foster childVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “foster child” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The local authority decided to foster the child with the Smith family.
- They have fostered several teenagers over the years.
American English
- The state chose to foster the child out to a family in a nearby town.
- They are licensed to foster children in need.
adjective
British English
- She had a difficult foster care experience.
- The foster family provided a stable home.
American English
- He entered the foster system at age seven.
- They attended a meeting for foster parents.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in CSR reports discussing support for employees who are foster parents.
Academic
Common in sociology, psychology, law, and social policy research.
Everyday
Used in personal stories, news articles about social services, and general conversation.
Technical
Core term in social work, family law, and child welfare systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “foster child”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “foster child”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foster child”
- Using 'foster child' interchangeably with 'adopted child'.
- Capitalizing it as a title (e.g., Foster Child).
- Using 'foster' as a verb for the child (e.g., 'He fostered' is wrong; 'He was fostered' or 'They fostered him' is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Adoption creates a permanent, legal parent-child relationship. Fostering is a temporary arrangement for care and upbringing, usually supervised by the state, where parental rights typically remain with the biological parents or the state.
Typically no. The term refers to a child or minor in that care arrangement. An adult would be referred to as a 'former foster child' or 'care leaver'.
No, it is the standard, neutral term. However, sensitivity is required as it references a potentially difficult personal history. Preferred person-first language is 'child in foster care'.
'Ward' is a broader, older legal term for a person placed under protection of a guardian. A foster child is a specific type of ward, where the care is provided in a family setting under child welfare laws.
a child who is raised by people who are not their biological or adoptive parents, as part of a temporary or permanent legal arrangement overseen by a government authority.
Foster child is usually formal, legal, social work, neutral in register.
Foster child: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɒstə ˌtʃaɪld/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɑːstər ˌtʃaɪld/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Something] is the foster child of [something else] (metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FOSTER sounds like 'FASTER' care – a child needing quicker, temporary care than the slower process of adoption.
Conceptual Metaphor
NURTURED GROWTH (A child is a plant cared for by a temporary gardener); TEMPORARY SHELTER (A child is a guest in a home).
Practice
Quiz
What is the key legal distinction between a 'foster child' and an 'adopted child'?