Pronunciation: [nˈiːʃ] (IPA) 
The word "niche" is often mispronounced and misspelled. Its correct pronunciation is /niʃ/ with a silent 'e'. The word is borrowed from French and was originally spelled "nich". Over time, the 'e' was added to reflect the silent 'h' in French. Its meaning can refer to a small, specialized corner of a larger market or a specific position or role. It is important to spell it correctly in order to convey precision and clarity in communication.
Niche is a term commonly used in various fields to describe a specific and specialized place, role, or position that is suitable for a particular individual, group, organization, or concept. It refers to a distinct segment or subset within a larger context, where entities that share similar characteristics or interests are concentrated.
In the business context, a niche market refers to a small and specific segment of the overall market, focusing on a specific product, service, or customer demographic that has particular needs or preferences that are not adequately addressed within the broader market. Niche markets often target a narrower audience, allowing companies to differentiate themselves and tailor their offerings to meet the specific demands of that niche.
In biology, a niche refers to the specific role or position that an organism occupies within an ecosystem. It encompasses both the physical habitat and the organism's functional role within that environment. Each organism has its own niche, characterized by factors such as its feeding habits, behavior, and interactions with other species. The concept of a niche in ecology helps to demonstrate how different species coexist and adapt to their surroundings without directly competing with one another.
Overall, the term "niche" is widely used to describe a specialized and distinctive space, position, or market segment that caters to specific needs, preferences, or characteristics within a larger context.
A cavity or recess in a wall, as for a statue or bust.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "niche" entered the English language in the 1600s and is derived from the French word "nicher", which means "to nest" or "to make a nest". This French word is originally derived from the Middle French term "nicher", which has the same meaning. The Middle French term, in turn, originates from the Old French term "nichier", meaning "to build nests". The word ultimately traces its roots back to the Latin word "nidus", which means "nest". The concept of a "niche" refers to a specialized or specific position or role, much like a bird's nest fits into a particular space.
