fostered: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Neutral
Quick answer
What does “fostered” mean?
Promoted the growth or development of something (often an abstract quality like a skill, relationship, or feeling) or provided care and upbringing for a child that is not one's own by birth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Promoted the growth or development of something (often an abstract quality like a skill, relationship, or feeling) or provided care and upbringing for a child that is not one's own by birth.
Can also imply encouraging or harboring (as in feelings like hope or resentment), or creating an environment conducive to growth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'fostered' more specifically relates to the state-organised care system for children ('foster care'). In American English, it is also widely used but the systemic connotation might be slightly less immediate in general discourse.
Connotations
UK: Strong institutional/legal association with child welfare services. US: Slightly broader metaphorical use in business/self-help contexts (e.g., 'foster innovation').
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties, with a slight edge in UK English due to common discussion of 'foster children/families' in public policy.
Grammar
How to Use “fostered” in a Sentence
Subject + fostered + Object (e.g., She fostered his talent.)Subject + fostered + Object + in + Person/Place (e.g., They fostered discipline in the team.)Object + fostered + by + Subject (e.g., Trust was fostered by transparency.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fostered” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The charity fostered community spirit in the neighbourhood.
- They have fostered several teenagers through the local authority.
American English
- The program fostered entrepreneurship among graduates.
- She fostered rescue dogs before they found permanent homes.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. No standard adverb form derived from 'fostered'.
American English
- Not applicable. No standard adverb form derived from 'fostered'.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable for 'fostered'. The adjective is 'foster' as in 'foster child'.
American English
- Not applicable for 'fostered'. The adjective is 'foster' as in 'foster care'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The new policies fostered a culture of open innovation."
Academic
"The study found that collaborative learning fostered greater critical thinking skills."
Everyday
"Her grandmother fostered her love of gardening."
Technical
(Social Work) "The child was fostered by a trained family for eighteen months."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fostered”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fostered”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fostered”
- Using 'fostered' for instantaneous creation (e.g., 'He fostered a new idea yesterday.' – Use 'came up with').
- Confusing 'fostered' (past tense) with 'foster' as an adjective (e.g., 'foster brother').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it's common in the context of foster care, it is extensively used metaphorically for nurturing abstract things like talent, relationships, or ideas.
'Raised' typically implies being the primary caregiver from childhood (often a biological parent). 'Fostered' implies providing temporary or alternative care, or nurturing a specific quality/skill, not necessarily from infancy.
Yes. You can foster negative things, e.g., 'The strict rules fostered resentment among the staff.' The verb itself is neutral; the object determines the connotation.
Both are correct but used differently. 'Fostered in' introduces where the quality was nurtured (e.g., 'fostered in a child'). 'Fostered by' introduces the agent who did the nurturing (e.g., 'fostered by her teacher').
Promoted the growth or development of something (often an abstract quality like a skill, relationship, or feeling) or provided care and upbringing for a child that is not one's own by birth.
Fostered is usually formal/neutral in register.
Fostered: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɒstəd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɑːstɚd/ /ˈfɔːstɚd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Foster parent/child”
- “In foster care”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FOSTER parent helping a plant or child GROW (FOSTERed = helped GROW).
Conceptual Metaphor
DEVELOPMENT IS NURTURING / IDEAS ARE PLANTS (e.g., 'foster an idea').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fostered' correctly?