English Explanatory Dictionary

niche

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A cavity, hollow, or recess, generally within the thickness of a wall, for a statue, bust, or other erect ornament.
  2. Any similar position, literal or figurative.
  3. Specifically, a cremation niche; a columbarium.
  4. A function within an ecological system to which an organism is especially suited.
  5. Any position of opportunity for which one is well-suited, such as a particular market in business.
  6. An arrow woven into a prayer rug pointing in the direction of qibla.
verb
  1. To place in a niche.
  2. To specialize in a niche, or particular narrow section of the market.
adj
  1. Pertaining to or intended for a market niche; having specific appeal; obscure.

Pronunciation

/niːʃ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Back ache-niche.wav en-au-niche.ogg /nɪt͡ʃ/ /niʃ/ /nɪʃ/ en-us-niche-3.ogg en-us-niche.ogg en-us-niche-2.ogg

Word forms

niche niches niching niched more niche nicher most niche nichest

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing 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.

Synonyms

nook specialty specialization

Related words

niché

Derived words

econiche enniche fundamental niche macroniche meganiche microniche multiniche nicheless niche market niche marketing nicheness nichey nichification subniche unniche
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