Is niche a word

1

a

: a recess in a wall especially for a statue

b

: something (such as a sheltered or private space) that resembles a recess in a wall

2

a

: a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted

b

: a habitat supplying the factors necessary for the existence of an organism or species

c

: the ecological role of an organism in a community especially in regard to food consumption

Illustration of niche

Illustration of niche

  • niche 1a

Did you know?

There is a debate about how you are supposed to pronounce niche. There are two common pronunciation variants, both of which are currently considered correct: NEESH (rhymes with sheesh) and NICH (rhymes with pitch). NICH is the more common one and the older of the two pronunciations. It is the only pronunciation given for the word in all English dictionaries until the 20th century, when NEESH was first listed as a pronunciation variant in Daniel Jones’s English Pronouncing Dictionary (1917). NEESH wasn’t listed as a pronunciation in our dictionaries until our 1961 Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged, and it wasn’t entered into our smaller Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary until 1993. Even then, it was marked in the Collegiate as a pronunciation that was in educated use but not considered acceptable until 2003.

All this is to say that the historical pronunciation has been NICH, and that NEESH is a relative newcomer that came about likely under influence from French pronunciation conventions. At this point in time in the U.S., NICH is still the more common pronunciation, but NEESH is gaining ground. Our evidence suggests that in British English, NEESH is now the more common pronunciation.

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Noun

To succeed in this new world, you have to sell yourself. You go to a brand-name college, not to imbibe the wisdom of its professors, but to make impressions and connections. You pick a niche that can bring attention to yourself and then develop your personal public relations efforts to let the world know who you are.


Alan Wolfe, New York Times Book Review, 7 Jan. 2001


The ivory-billed woodpecker, wan ghost of southern woodlands, may actually be flying forth from its niche in extinction.


Frank Graham, Jr., Audubon, May/June 2000


Creatures in the genus Rickettsia occupy a niche between bacteria and viruses. They carry much of their own cellular equipment and are vulnerable to antibiotics, but like viruses they need to invade living cells in order to grow.


Wayne Biddle, A Field Guide to Germs, 1995


No, a safe and humble backbencher’s niche in the Senate was the inheritance of a Julius these days.


Colleen McCullough, The First Man in Rome, 1990


A dozen or so fey young monks in saffron robes and shaven heads wafted from quiet niche to niche begging alms and looking very flesh-bound to my jaded eyes.


Arthur Miller, Timebends, 1987



I found a niche for myself after high school.



She finally found her niche as a teacher.



the species that fill an environmental niche

Verb

The most moving of all the museums in Russia, right now, is also the smallest and the most unlikely. Niched with no fuss whatever in what was a communal apartment high in the annex of the former Sheremetyev Palace in St. Petersburg, it is devoted to a great Russian poet, Anna Akhmatova (1889-1966).


John Russell, New York Times Book Review, 1 Jan. 1995

See More

Recent Examples on the Web



Curating charters or personal voyages with local technical assistance is unusual in the yachting industry, so the Acquera Club may be onto a niche.


Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2023





Here are excerpts from ScienceInsider’s 24 March conversation with Prabhakar. Q: What niche do ARPAs fill?


Byjeffrey Mervis, science.org, 28 Mar. 2023





On the other hand, as that shout-out from Taylor suggests, Del Rey has deeply influenced the course of pop over the last decade — and perhaps even presaged an era in which pop stars, as such, became a niche while hip-hop ruled the charts.


Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2023





Depending on if a subscription has a particular niche, brand selection may vary.


Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2023





But antibiotic treatment kills bacteria, opening up a niche for auris to fill.


Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2023





Ody Oguama The 6-foot-9-inch senior has found his niche since taking the floor as a starter Jan. 5 at Wichita State.


Scott Springer, The Enquirer, 20 Mar. 2023





In a specially contoured niche in the veneer above the fireplace — among the few things in the house left untouched are the tarot card porcelain tiles, a gift from Buñuel, that surround the mantel — hangs what Touhami believes is a portrait by the 16th-century Venetian painter Titian.


Nancy Hass François Halard, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2023





Pairing Gesicki with Henry could give the Patriots a substantial 1-2 tight end punch, something that never materialized with Jonnu Smith, who struggled to find a niche in his two seasons in Foxborough.


Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Mar. 2023



See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘niche.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

French, from Middle French, from nicher to nest, from Vulgar Latin *nidicare, from Latin nidus nest — more at nest

First Known Use

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of niche was
in 1610

Dictionary Entries Near niche

Cite this Entry

“Niche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/niche. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.

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  • Top Definitions
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  • More About Niche
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  • British
  • Scientific

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

[ nich, neesh ]

/ nɪtʃ, niʃ /

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.


noun

an ornamental recess in a wall or the like, usually semicircular in plan and arched, as for a statue or other decorative object.

a place or position suitable or appropriate for a person or thing:to find one’s niche in the business world.

a distinct segment of a market.

adjective

pertaining to or intended for a market niche; having specific appeal: niche advertising.

verb (used with object), niched, nich·ing.

to place (something) in a niche.

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Origin of niche

1605–15; <French, Middle French, back formation from nicher to make a nest <Vulgar Latin *nīdiculāre, derivative of Latin nīdusnest

OTHER WORDS FROM niche

un·niched, adjective

Words nearby niche

nice-nellyism, Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, Nicetas, nicety, nicey-nicey, niche, niche market, Nichiren, Nichiren Buddhism, Nicholas, Nicholas I

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT NICHE

What does niche mean?

A niche is a place or position that’s particularly appropriate for someone or something, especially due to being very specific and different from others.

Niche often refers to a position or interest that allows someone or something to thrive in a particular environment. It’s especially used in the context of people’s careers to refer to the specific position, occupation, or business that will set them apart from others and allow them to be successful.

When someone tells you to “find your niche,” they mean you should find the very specific activity or position that sets you apart and in which you can find success or fulfillment.

Niche can also refer to a very specific part of the consumer market, as in My startup occupies a niche in the dry cleaning chemicals industry. 

In ecology, niche refers to the position or function that an organism occupies within its environment among other species of plants and animals.

The original, literal sense of niche refers to recess in a wall, especially one for the display of decorative objects, such as statues. Much less commonly, niche can be used as a verb meaning to place something in this kind of niche.

Niche is commonly used as an adjective to describe something that has very specific appeal, as inniche market or niche interests. 

The correct pronunciation of niche can be either nich or neesh.

Example: I started my bakery by selling all kinds of baked goods, but then I found my niche—making superhero-themed cupcakes.

Where does niche come from?

The first records of the word niche in English come from the early 1600s. Niche comes from French and derives from the Middle French verb nicher, meaning “to make a nest.” It ultimately derives from the Latin nīdus, meaning “nest.”

Niche was first used in English to refer to a nook in a wall where you could display a statue or something else—like a little nest for decorative objects. Eventually, it came to be used in a figurative sense to refer to the narrow place or position you can occupy to find success. Niche is perhaps most commonly used as an adjective describing such positions or interests. For example, an ice cream shop that offers niche flavors like jalapeño and lavender occupies a niche market by serving customers with niche tastes.

Did you know … ?

How is niche used in real life?

As a noun, niche commonly refers to a specific career or business that will set someone apart and allow them to be successful. As an adjective, it’s often used to describe specific interests, businesses, or segments of the consumer market.

«As soon as I got behind a dogsled, I knew I had found my niche in the outdoor world.» https://t.co/8NmOrExVDx

— Outside (@outsidemagazine) July 27, 2017

We have to start being unapologetic about Afrobeats. Stop acting like they are doing us a favor by playing our music. Wizkid sold out the O2 arena with 20,000 capacity. We are not a niche genre anymore. Tell your local deejay to update his Afrobeats playlist. We Worldwide now!!

— Eche Enziga (@Echecrates) August 10, 2018

Admittedly a niche topic but 🐝I LOVE BEES 🐝and think everyone else should too. Did you know «bee tourism»is now a Thing? I went to Slovenia to do it! 🐝🍯🐝🍯https://t.co/woqqB7sJZH

— Katie Grant (@kt_grant) August 10, 2018

Try using niche!

Which of the following words could be described with the adjective niche?

A. market
B. interest
C. topic
D. all of the above

Words related to niche

alcove, slot, calling, compartment, corner, cranny, cubbyhole, hole, hollow, indentation, nook, opening, pigeonhole, position, recess, vocation

How to use niche in a sentence

  • In 2020, he’s watched a flood of amateurs rush into his niche of finance—a phenomenon he last saw more than two decades ago.

  • That left the NR750 in a niche all its own, a futuristic cul-de-sac, a high-tech, outside-the-circle salute to Soichiro Honda, who died just a few months before the bike’s 1992 debut.

  • While those can effectively help you, staying original in your pursuit can carve a niche for you.

  • So, no matter what niche you are in, get focused on site speed now, and address the issue before it becomes a major problem.

  • It’s still a niche trend — retail properties being converted to industrial use.

  • Not long ago, however, these outré components would have amounted to an interesting yet niche rap career.

  • Nightlife (5%): Most exciting nightlife; most vibrant social scene (2.5% each, Niche).

  • Activities and clubs (5%): Student clubs and organizations nbsp;(2.5%, U.S. News); best student centers (2.5%, Niche).

  • The Source was initially created to help serve that niche, covering the industry with commentary, reviews, and reported features.

  • But I have found a unique niche right now that is definitely satiating this profound need that I have always possessed.

  • It was not an exalted niche to fill in life, but at least she had learned to fill it to perfection, and her ambitions were modest.

  • In a niche in the mud wall was a cheap print of the Madonna, one candle just smouldering out before it.

  • He casts an anxious glance around, and disappears in the niche of the cell door.

  • Suddenly her hand came in contact with something round and small set in a large niche in the wall.

  • The third wall, a solid one of smoke-blue plaster, held the niche called «tokonoma,» where pictures are hung and flower vases set.

British Dictionary definitions for niche


noun

a recess in a wall, esp one that contains a statue

any similar recess, such as one in a rock face

a position particularly suitable for the person occupying ithe found his niche in politics

(modifier) relating to or aimed at a small specialized group or market

ecology the role of a plant or animal within its community and habitat, which determines its activities, relationships with other organisms, etc

verb

(tr) to place (a statue) in a niche; ensconce (oneself)

Word Origin for niche

C17: from French, from Old French nichier to nest, from Vulgar Latin nīdicāre (unattested) to build a nest, from Latin nīdus nest

Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for niche


The function or position of a species within an ecological community. A species’s niche includes the physical environment to which it has become adapted as well as its role as producer and consumer of food resources. See also competitive exclusion principle.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

  1. Is Niche an adjective?
  2. What niche means?
  3. Does niche have an accent?
  4. Is niche a French word?
  5. Is it pronounced clique or click?
  6. What’s the difference between cliche and clique?
  7. What is another word for clique?
  8. What’s a clique in slang?
  9. What do you call a group of friends?
  10. What is a group of boys called?

niche noun [C] (POSITION) a job or position that is very suitable for someone, especially one that they like: He has carved/made a niche for himself as a financial advisor. an area or position that is exactly suitable for a small group of the same type: an ecological niche. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.

Is Niche an adjective?

Niche is commonly used as an adjective to describe something that has very specific appeal, as inniche market or niche interests. The correct pronunciation of niche can be either nich or neesh.

What niche means?

(Entry 1 of 2) 1a : a recess in a wall especially for a statue. b : something (such as a sheltered or private space) that resembles a recess in a wall. 2a : a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted finally found her niche.

Does niche have an accent?

“niche” doesn’t have an accent aigu on the e, that would make its e pronounced, roughly equivalent to what you’d transcribe as “nisheh” in English.

Is niche a French word?

Borrowed from French niche, from Old French niche, from nicher (“make a nest”) (modern French nicher), from Latin nīdus (“nest”).

Is it pronounced clique or click?

Click has various meanings as a verb and a noun, but it usually refers to a short, sharp sound or the act of pressing a button on a computer mouse. Clique is always a noun that refers to a small, exclusive group.

What’s the difference between cliche and clique?

Cliché/ cliché is an expression or idea that has become trite (worn out or overly used) and so is no longer original: “The paper used one cliché after another which made it a very one to read.” Clique is a small, exclusive circle or group of people: “Cliques of girls are pretty common in school.”

What is another word for clique?

Clique Synonyms – WordHippo Thesaurus….What is another word for clique?

circle crowd
bunch cabal
cadre clan
coterie crew
fraternity group

What’s a clique in slang?

CLIQUE means “Group of friends”

What do you call a group of friends?

A group of friends can be called a band, a gang, team, family, community, crew, order, circle, brother/sisterhood, clique, league, party, posse, crowd or tribe.

What is a group of boys called?

What is a group of boys called? A blush of boys, a rascal of boys.

ниша, убежище, надлежащее место, удобно устроиться, помещать в нишу

существительное

- ниша
- своё, подобающее, надлежащее место

to find a niche for oneself — найти своё место в жизни
the work fills a niche of its own — этот труд занимает принадлежащее ему по праву место
a niche in the temple of fame — поэт. слава, бессмертие, место на Олимпе

- приют, убежище
- биол. (экологическая) ниша, положение вида в биоценозе

ecological /environmental/ niche — экологическая ниша

- спец. область применения

глагол

- поместить в нишу
- refl удобно устроиться

to niche oneself — найти убежище; приютиться; угнездиться

Мои примеры

Словосочетания

the species that fill an environmental niche — виды, заполняющие экологическую нишу  
carve out a niche for oneself — найти сферу деятельности для себя  
ecological niche = econiche — экологическая ниша  
fill in a niche — заложить нишу  
find niche — найти свою нишу  
application niche — область применения; сфера применения  
niche production — продукция для незанятого рынка товаров  
niche strategy — стратегия выхода на незанятый рынок товаров; стратегия ниш  
niche width — ширина экологической ниши; ширина ниши  
particular military niche — конкретные военные секторы  
remote filter niche — удалённая ниша фильтра  

Примеры с переводом

He spotted a niche in the market.

Он нашёл свою нишу на рынке.

She finally found her niche as a teacher.

Наконец, она нашла своё место в качестве преподавателя.

She carved out her own niche in the industry.

Благодаря усердной работе, она смогла занять свою нишу в данной сфере деятельности.

The little solitary convent is niched into a low, damp-looking meadows.

Маленький уединённый монастырь укрыт в сырых низинах, среди лугов.

A niche with a good screw to it.

Тёпленькое местечко, да и платят неплохо.

He found his niche in the academic world.

Он нашёл свою нишу в научном мире.

He’s managed to create a niche for himself in local politics.

Он сумел создать для себя нишу в местной политике.

He carved a niche for himself as a writer.

Он создал себе нишу в качестве писателя.

Примеры, ожидающие перевода

Amanda soon found her niche at the club.

I found a niche for myself after high school.

The company has moved quickly to fill the niche in the overnight travel market.

Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке , напротив примера.

Формы слова

noun
ед. ч.(singular): niche
мн. ч.(plural): niches

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From French niche, from Middle French niche, from Old French niche, from nicher (to make a nest) (modern French nicher), from Vulgar Latin *nīdicāre, from Latin nīdus (nest). Doublet of nidus and nide via Latin and nest via Proto-Indo-European; also related to nyas.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (General Australian, Canada, Ireland, UK) IPA(key): /niːʃ/
    • Rhymes: -iːʃ
  • (US) IPA(key): /niʃ/, /nɪʃ/, /nɪt͡ʃ/
    • Rhymes: -ɪtʃ

Noun[edit]

niche (plural niches)

  1. (architecture) A cavity, hollow, or recess, generally within the thickness of a wall, for a statue, bust, or other erect ornament.
    Synonym: nook
    • 1641, John Evelyn, William Bray, editor, John Evelyn’s Diary, volume 1, London: Henry Colburn, published 1850, page 34:

      On the margin of this long tract, are abundance of shrines and images, defended from the injuries of the weather by niches of stone wherein they are placed.

  2. Any similar position, literal or figurative.
  3. Specifically, a cremation niche; a columbarium.
  4. (ecology) A function within an ecological system to which an organism is especially suited.
  5. (by extension) Any position of opportunity for which one is well-suited, such as a particular market in business.
    Synonyms: specialty, specialization
  6. (Islam) An arrow woven into a prayer rug pointing in the direction of qibla.

Derived terms[edit]

  • fundamental niche
  • niche market

Translations[edit]

cavity, hollow, or recess

  • Armenian: որմնախորշ (hy) (ormnaxorš)
  • Bulgarian: ниша f (niša)
  • Catalan: nínxol (ca) m
  • Czech: výklenek (cs) m
  • Dutch: nis (nl) f
  • Egyptian: (bbt f), (wmwt f), (jtrt f)
  • Finnish: syvennys (fi), rako (fi), nissi (fi)
  • French: niche (fr) f
  • German: Nische (de) f, Mauernische f, Wandnische (de) f, Mauerrücksprung m
  • Hebrew: גומחה‎ f, נישה (he) f
  • Indonesian: ceruk (id), cekung (id)
  • Irish: cuasán m, almóir m
  • Italian: nicchia (it) f, edicola (it) f
  • Japanese: 壁龕 (ja) (へきがん, hekigan)
  • Macedonian: ни́ша f (níša)
  • Maltese: niċċa f
  • Maori: mokotawhā
  • Norwegian:
    Bokmål: nisje m
  • Persian: طاقچه (fa)
  • Piedmontese: nicia f
  • Polish: nisza (pl) f
  • Portuguese: nicho (pt) m
  • Romanian: nișă (ro) f, firidă (ro) f
  • Russian: ни́ша (ru) f (níša)
  • Slovak: výklenok m
  • Slovene: niša (sl)
  • Spanish: hornacina (es)
  • Swedish: nisch (sv) c
  • Ukrainian: ні́ша f (níša)

ecological function of an organism

  • Bulgarian: ниша f (niša)
  • Catalan: nínxol (ca) m
  • Chinese:
    Mandarin: 生態位生态位 (shēngtàiwèi)
  • Czech: nika (cs) f
  • Dutch: niche (nl) f
  • Finnish: ekologinen lokero (fi), nissi (fi)
  • French: niche (fr) f
  • German: ökologische Nische (de) f
  • Hebrew: נישה (he) f
  • Irish: nideog f
  • Italian: nicchia (it) f
  • Japanese: 生態的地位 (せいたいてきちい, seitaiteki chii), ニッチ (ja) (nitchi)
  • Maori: tūranga hauropi
  • Polish: nisza (pl) f
  • Portuguese: nicho (pt) m
  • Russian: ни́ша (ru) f (níša)
  • Spanish: nicho (es) m
  • Swedish: nisch (sv) c
  • Ukrainian: ні́ша f (níša)

position of opportunity

  • Dutch: niche (nl) f
  • Finnish: markkinarako (fi)
  • French: niche (fr) f
  • German: Nische (de) f, Marktnische f, Marktlücke f
  • Hebrew: נישה (he) f
  • Japanese: ニッチ (ja) (nitchi)
  • Norwegian:
    Bokmål: nisje m
  • Polish: nisza (pl) f
  • Portuguese: nicho (pt) m
  • Russian: ни́ша (ru) f (níša)
  • Spanish: nicho (es) m
  • Swedish: nisch (sv) c
  • Ukrainian: ні́ша f (níša)

Verb[edit]

niche (third-person singular simple present niches, present participle niching, simple past and past participle niched)

  1. (transitive) To place in a niche.
    a niched vase
  2. (transitive, marketing) To specialize in a niche, or particular narrow section of the market.
    • 2002, Frederick Betz, Executive Strategy (page 92)
      Product differentiation will be mostly limited to market niching and fashion.

Adjective[edit]

niche (comparative more niche, superlative most niche)

  1. Pertaining to or intended for a market niche; having specific appeal.

    niche products

    niche audience

    • 2016, BookLover, How to Become A Massive YouTube Celebrity[1]:

      You can go even more niche if you like though and choose ‘crocheting’ or ‘bird sewing patterns’ but the ‘more niche’ you go, the more you narrow your audience.

Translations[edit]

pertaining to a market niche

  • Japanese: ニッチ (ja) (nitchi)
  • Polish: niszowy

See also[edit]

  • niché

Anagrams[edit]

  • Chien, chine, chiné

Dutch[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from French niche, from Middle French niche, from Old French niche.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /niʃ/
  • Hyphenation: ni‧che

Noun[edit]

niche f (plural niches, diminutive nicheje n)

  1. (especially in ecology and business) a niche

See also[edit]

  • nis

French[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /niʃ/

Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle French niche, from Old French niche, deverbal of nichier (make a nest), from an unattested verb *nīdicāre, from Latin nīdus (nest).

Noun[edit]

niche f (plural niches)

  1. niche
  2. kennel (house or shelter for a dog)
Descendants[edit]
  • Danish: niche
  • Dutch: niche
  • English: niche
  • Macedonian: ниша (niša)
  • Russian: ниша (niša)
See also[edit]
  • chenil

Etymology 2[edit]

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb[edit]

niche

  1. inflection of nicher:
    1. first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
    2. second-person singular imperative

Further reading[edit]

  • “niche”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

Anagrams[edit]

  • chien, chine, Chine, chiné

Norman[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old French niche, from nichier (make a nest), from Latin nīdus (nest).

Noun[edit]

niche f (plural niches)

  1. (Jersey) kennel

Synonyms[edit]

  • câniche

Spanish[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ˈnit͡ʃe/ [ˈni.t͡ʃe]
  • Rhymes: -itʃe
  • Syllabification: ni‧che

Noun[edit]

niche m (plural niches)

  1. (Venezuela, slang, offensive) low-class

Further reading[edit]

  • “niche”, in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014

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