niche

noun

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\ ˈnich

also ˈnēsh or ˈnish

Definition of niche

(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

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

d : a specialized market

niche

verb

\ ˈnich also ˈnēsh or ˈnish

niched; niching

Definition of niche (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to place in or as if in a niche (see niche entry 1)

Synonyms How do you pronounce niche? Is it \NEESH\ or \NICH\? More Example Sentences Phrases Containing niche Learn More About niche

How do you pronounce niche? Is it \NEESH\ or \NICH\?

Noun

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.

Examples of niche in a Sentence

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: Noun Wethersfield — Nicole Palazzo started her business somewhat as a response to the pandemic, and has found a niche with people who try to stay healthy but see the value in sometimes indulging their sweet tooth. — Steve Smith, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2022 The artist has successfully and impressively carved out her own niche in the industry by mixing rap with rage, screamo with pop, and indulging in her role as a modern-day provocateur. — Candace Mcduffie, Glamour, 25 July 2022 He's also found a niche in an unexpected kind of video — recording his therapy appointments. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE.com, 16 June 2022 Back in Hawkins, Mike and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) have found a nerdy niche in a D&D club led by new addition Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn). — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 May 2022 The former self professed metalhead quickly found a niche in the world of Americana music, which is defined as a kind of Alternative Country. — John Canale, cleveland, 23 May 2022 Ivy has made a name by creating its own niche in the ever-expanding and diversifying wine market, which is increasingly harder to accomplish these days as brands continually search for the next big idea. — Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 17 May 2022 There are a handful of newer and niche wood siding options, too, including some that rely on natural treatments to extend their lifespan. — Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2022 For many Uyghurs, poetry is less a niche literary exercise than a vital part of everyday life. — Yasmeen Serhan, The Atlantic, 16 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'niche.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.