Niche Definition & Meaning

American

British

Scientific

Usage

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms niche American [nich, neesh] / nɪtʃ, niʃ /

noun

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

2. a place or position suitable or appropriate for a person or thing.

   to find one's niche in the business world.

   Synonyms: berth, slot, vocation, calling

3. a distinct segment of a market.

4. Ecology. ecological niche.

adjective

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

   niche advertising.

verb (used with object)

niched, niching

1. to place (something) in a niche.

niche British / niːʃ, nɪtʃ /

noun

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

2. any similar recess, such as one in a rock face

3. a position particularly suitable for the person occupying it

   he found his niche in politics

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

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

"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

verb

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

"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 niche Scientific / nĭch,nēsh /

1. 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.

2. See also competitive exclusion principle

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• unniched adjective

Etymology

Origin of niche

First recorded in 1605–15; from French, Middle French, back formation from nicher “to make a nest,” from Vulgar Latin nīdiculāre (unrecorded), derivative of Latin nīdus nest

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In China, with a clean slate and a growing affluent class, Sam’s Club, following Costco’s formula, carved out a niche as a premium chain offering high-quality items hard to find elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal

In Geraci’s view, the orientation of some believers towards podcasts and other niche online communities is a key part of the rise of novel religious beliefs, including those that concern AI.

From Salon

Solo tourism—once a niche—has become one of the fastest-growing categories on platforms such as Trip.com Group.

From Barron's

As robots like Digit have begun to find niches of demand, some analysts and technology executives have begun to predict a looming humanoid robot wave.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Maple syrup went from being a staple on the dinner table to being a niche, luxury food.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• alcove
• slot

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.