niche
neesh
Niche (noun) means a small recess set into a wall, often used to display a statue or ornament. Example: “A small statue of the saint stood in a niche above the door.”
noun
1
A small recess set into a wall, often used to display a statue or ornament.
"A small statue of the saint stood in a niche above the door."
"The architect added a deep niche in the hallway to hold a vase."
"A little lamp glowed inside the niche beside the fireplace."
2
A specialized role, position, or segment of a market that suits someone or something particularly well.
"The bakery found its niche selling gluten-free bread to local cafés."
"She finally found her niche as a science writer."
"After trying several jobs, he found a niche repairing old clocks."
adj
1
Appealing to a small, specific group rather than a broad audience.
"It's a niche hobby, but the community around it is very passionate."
"The shop sells niche magazines about model trains and little else."
"Her podcast is quite niche, but its listeners are loyal."
How to use niche
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, specialized spot — literally a recess in a wall, or figuratively a specific area where someone or something fits perfectly.
Common pairings
find your niche
niche market
carve out a niche
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Word forms
- Plural
- niches
- Third person singular
- niches
- Past tense
- niched
- Comparative
- more niche, nicher
- Superlative
- most niche, nichest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A small statue of the saint stood in a _____ above the door.
Etymology
Borrowed from French niche, related to nicher ("to nest"), ultimately from Latin nidus ("nest").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for niche
See all rhymes for niche →Frequently asked questions
What does “niche” mean?
The word “niche” means a small recess set into a wall, often used to display a statue or ornament. In plain terms, a small, specialized spot — literally a recess in a wall, or figuratively a specific area where someone or something fits perfectly.
How do you pronounce “niche”?
“Niche” is pronounced neesh (/nɪt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “niche” in a sentence?
Here is “niche” used in a sentence: “A small statue of the saint stood in a niche above the door.”
What part of speech is “niche”?
Depending on how it is used, “niche” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “niche” come from?
The word “niche” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French niche, related to nicher ("to nest"), ultimately from Latin nidus ("nest").
Is “niche” a common word?
“Niche” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “niche” have?
“Niche” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small recess set into a wall, often used to display a statue or ornament.
What is the difference between a niche and a market?
A niche is a specialized segment of a market that suits a particular product, business, or person especially well, while a market is the broader arena of buyers and sellers as a whole. A niche is essentially a narrow, well-defined slice within a larger market.
What does niche mean as an adjective?
As an adjective, niche describes something appealing to a small, specific group rather than a broad audience, such as a niche product or niche interest. This differs from the noun sense, which refers to a physical recess in a wall or a specialized market position.
What is the difference between niche and mainstream?
Niche describes something appealing to a small, specific group, while mainstream describes something with broad, general appeal to most people. A niche market or interest is the opposite of a mainstream one in terms of audience size.
What is a niche in architecture?
In architecture, a niche is a small recess set into a wall, often used to display a statue or ornament. This is the original, physical sense of the word, distinct from its later figurative use for a specialized market or role.
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