English

Noun

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. Hence, any similar position, literal or figurative.

   "Images defended from the injuries of the weather by niches of stone wherein they are placed." --Evelyn.

2. (biology) A function within an ecological system to which an organism is especially suited.
3. (by extension) Any position of opportunity for which one is well-suited, such as a particular market in business.
4. An arrow woven into a Muslim prayer rug pointing in the direction of Mecca.

Synonyms

• (position of opportunity): specialty, specialization,

Derived terms

• fundamental niche
• niche market

Translations

See also

• niché

Verb

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

1. (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.

Anagrams

• chine

Dutch

Pronunciation

Noun

niche f ‎(plural niches, diminutive nicheje n)

1. (biology) (business) niche

See also

• nis

French

Etymology

From Old French niche, from nichier ‎(“make a nest”), from Latin nīdus ‎(“nest”) (via a verb *nīdicāre). Alternatively, borrowed from Italian nicchia or nicchio.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /niʃ/

Noun

niche f ‎(plural niches)

1. niche
2. kennel (for dog)

Verb

niche

1. first-person singular present indicative of nicher
2. third-person singular present indicative of nicher
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of nicher
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of nicher
5. second-person singular imperative of nicher

Anagrams

• chien, chine, Chine, chiné

Norman

Etymology

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

Noun

niche f ‎(plural niches)

1. (Jersey) kennel

Synonyms

• câniche