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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Foster: Definition, Usage & Key Differences (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：nurture (foster)

foster 🔊

/ˈfɒstər/

To help an idea, feeling, or skill to develop or grow stronger.

Foster teamwork concept: group collaborating on ideas in a bright office.

nurture 🔊

➕

/ˈnɜːtʃər/

To actively encourage the development or growth of something, such as an idea, relationship, talent, or positive environment.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'fostrian' (to feed, nourish, bring up), related to 'fostor' (food, nourishment).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: To FOSTER growth is to FEED and SUPPORT it, like a fost-or (provider) of food.

📖 Example

The company's culture fosters creativity, allowing employees to experiment with new ideas freely. 🔊 The company's culture nurtures creativity, allowing employees to experiment with new ideas freely.

🔗 Collocations

foster innovation – To encourage and support the development of new ideas and methods.

foster cooperation – To promote and develop a spirit of working together.

foster a sense of community – To help develop feelings of connection and belonging among a group.

🔄 Synonyms

encourage (v.) – To give support, confidence, or hope to someone or something.

promote (v.) – To support and help something grow, develop, or become more active.

cultivate (v.) – To try to acquire or develop a quality, sentiment, or skill.

🚫 Antonyms

hinder (v.) – To create difficulties that delay or prevent something from happening.

stifle (v.) – To prevent something from happening, continuing, or developing.

neglect (v.) – To fail to care for or give proper attention to something.

🌱 Derivatives

fosterer (n.) – One who fosters or nurtures something.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'foster' originates from Old English, fundamentally linked to the provision of food and care. Its core meaning of nurturing and supporting something (be it a child, a feeling, or a skill) to help it grow has remained remarkably stable from its Middle English usage to the modern day, evolving from literal sustenance to metaphorical support.

Meaning 2：provide care for (foster)

foster 🔊

/ˈfɒstər/

To take care of a child who is not legally your own, usually for a period of time.

Foster care scene: adult reading to a child in a warm, sunny living room.

provide care for 🔊

➕

/prəˈvaɪd keər fɔːr/

To take on the responsibility of caring for a child, or sometimes an animal, for a period of time without becoming the legal parent or permanent owner.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

They decided to foster a rescue dog until it could find a permanent home. 🔊 They decided to provide care for a rescue dog until it could find a permanent home.

🔗 Collocations

foster a child – To provide a temporary home and parental care for a child in need.

foster family – A family that provides temporary care for a child placed by a child welfare agency.

foster home – A household where a foster child is placed and cared for.

🔄 Synonyms

shelter (v.) – To provide a place giving temporary protection from danger or hardship.

care for (phr.v.) – To look after and provide for the needs of someone.

take in (phr.v.) – To allow someone to live in one's home, especially on a temporary basis.

🚫 Antonyms

abandon (v.) – To cease to support or look after someone; to desert.

neglect (v.) – To fail to provide proper care and attention to someone.

🌱 Derivatives

foster (adj.) – Denoting someone that is, or the status of being, fostered (e.g., foster parent, foster child).

Meaning 3：harbor (foster)

foster 🔊

/ˈfɒstər/

To keep a feeling or hope in your mind for a long time.

Foster hope illustration: person gazing out a window with a budding plant.

harbor 🔊

➕

/ˈhɑːbər/

To keep and maintain a particular feeling, thought, or desire in one's mind over a period of time.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Despite many setbacks, she continued to foster hope for a better future. 🔊 Despite many setbacks, she continued to harbor hope for a better future.

🔗 Collocations

foster a grudge – To keep and maintain feelings of resentment or ill will.

foster an ambition – To nurture and hold onto a strong desire to achieve something.

🔄 Synonyms

harbor (v.) – To keep a thought, feeling, or possibility in one's mind.

cherish (v.) – To protect and care for something lovingly; to hold something dear.

nurse (v.) – To hold or nurture a feeling, especially a negative one, for a long time.

🚫 Antonyms

abandon (v.) – To give up completely a course of action, a practice, or a way of thinking.

relinquish (v.) – To voluntarily cease to keep or claim; to give up.