1 C1 neutral
To raise a foster child (or animal) through to adulthood with care and support.
"The couple fostered up three children over the course of twenty years."
separable
foster up
C1 neutral separable transitive
To raise or care for a child (or animal) through the foster system until they are grown.
In plain English
Look after and raise a child who is not your own until they grow up.
What does "foster up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To foster someone until they are grown up — the 'up' indicates completion of the rearing process.
Actually means
Look after and raise a child who is not your own until they grow up.
Usage tip
Rare expression. 'Foster' alone is usually sufficient in standard usage. 'Foster up' emphasizes the completion of the fostering process — raising the child to adulthood. More common in American English.
Words that pair with "foster up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
child kid animal pup infant
How to conjugate "foster up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
foster up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fosters up
he/she/it
Past simple
fostered up
yesterday
Past participle
fostered up
have + pp
-ing form
fostering up
continuous
Hear "foster up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "foster up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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