How to pronounce foster
Say it like FOS-ter. Foster has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce foster. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FOS
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Foster pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of foster
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: FOS-tuh.
What does foster mean?
- promote the growth of“Foster our children's well-being and education”
- bring up under fosterage; of children
- help develop, help grow“nurture his talents”
- United States songwriter whose songs embody the sentiment of the South before the American Civil War (1826-1864)
- providing or receiving nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal ties“foster parent”“foster child”
Where does foster come from?
Cognate with Middle Dutch voester (“nursemaid”), Middle Low German vôster (“food”), Old Norse fóstr (“nurturing, education, alimony, child support”), Danish foster (“fetus”), Swedish foster (“fetus”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with foster
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of foster.
Questions about saying foster
How do you pronounce foster?
Say FOS-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɑstɚ/. In British English it is /ˈfɒstə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in foster?
Foster has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOS). Broken into parts: FOS · ter.
Is foster pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈfɒstə/ (FOS-tuh).