foster crossword puzzle clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "foster crossword puzzle clue", you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of possible answers, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to boost your crossword-solving skills.
Solutions for "foster crossword puzzle clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
REAR: To bring up and care for a child until they are fully grown, aligning with the concept of fostering.
5 Letters
NURSE: To care for and protect (a person or living thing) while they are growing or developing.
ADOPT: To legally take another's child and bring it up as one's own, or to take on a new attitude or idea.
6 Letters
PARENT: To act as a parent to someone; to bring up and care for.
7 Letters
PROMOTE: To help or encourage the progress, existence, or public acceptance of (something).
NOURISH: To provide with the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.
9 Letters
ENCOURAGE: To give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).
CULTIVATE: To try to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill).
More About "foster crossword puzzle clue"
The word "foster" is a versatile term that often appears in crosswords due to its multiple meanings, offering constructors a rich source of wordplay. While commonly associated with fostering children or animals, its usage extends to abstract concepts like fostering an idea, a talent, or a feeling. This semantic breadth means that potential answers can range from words related to caregiving and upbringing to terms denoting encouragement, promotion, or development.
When encountering "foster" in a crossword, it's crucial to consider the context of the puzzle itself. Is it a general knowledge crossword, or one with a particular theme? Are there any intersecting letters already filled in? These factors can help you narrow down whether the clue refers to physical nurturing (like NURSE or REAR) or the development of an abstract quality (like PROMOTE or ENCOURAGE). Understanding these nuances is key to cracking the clue.
Crossword setters love words like "foster" because they allow for clever misdirection. A clue might hint at one meaning, while the correct answer aligns with another. Always keep an open mind to all possible interpretations of the word before settling on an answer. This comprehensive approach will significantly improve your chances of success.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Word Length: The number of letters is your most crucial hint. For "foster," different lengths lead to vastly different answers (e.g., REAR vs. ENCOURAGE). Always start by checking this.
- Consider All Synonyms: Don't just think of the most common meaning. Brainstorm all possible synonyms for "foster" that come to mind, then see which ones fit the letter count and any given letters.
- Look at Intersecting Clues: Use letters revealed by solving intersecting clues. These can confirm or eliminate potential answers for "foster" quickly. If you have an 'R' as the second letter, for instance, 'NURSE' might be out, but 'PROMOTE' could still be viable if it's a 7-letter word.
- Think Beyond the Obvious: Crossword clues often use secondary or less common meanings of words. For "foster," remember it can mean to encourage growth, not just to raise a child.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'foster' typically mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, 'foster' often refers to nurturing, encouraging, promoting growth, or providing care. It can imply both the physical act of raising (like rearing children) or the abstract act of developing (like fostering an idea or talent). Common synonyms include nurse, rear, promote, cultivate, encourage, or nourish.
How can I determine the correct length for 'foster' crossword answers?
To determine the correct length, always check the number provided in the crossword grid (e.g., foster (5) means a 5-letter answer). If you have some letters already filled in from intersecting words, use those as hints to narrow down possibilities. Consider all synonyms for 'foster' and see which ones fit the available spaces.
Are there multiple meanings of 'foster' that are commonly used in crosswords?
Yes, 'foster' has several meanings that are frequently exploited by crossword constructors. It can mean to raise a child (e.g., NURSE, REAR, PARENT), to encourage or promote development (e.g., PROMOTE, ENCOURAGE), or to provide nourishment (e.g., NOURISH). Being aware of these different nuances will help you find the right answer.