verb / adjective · neutral

foster

UK/ˈfɒstə(r)/US/ˈfɑːstər/FOS·ter

Band 5-6speakingtask2

to take care of a child temporarily who is not your own; (adj) describing temporary parental care

Examples

They decided to foster a child while her parents sorted out their problems.

He grew up in a foster family.

Fostering can be a short-term arrangement or last for several years.

Band 8 sentence

Many children benefit from foster families who provide stability and support until a permanent solution is found.

Collocations

  • foster a child
  • be in foster care
  • foster parent

Word family

fosterer nounfoster care noun

Common mistakes

adoptfoster

foster to someonefoster someone

Say it for a higher band

5take care of6raise7+foster

Synonyms

raise

Easily confused

adopt

The couple decided to adopt a child from overseas.

Related words

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In Family & Relationships

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