How to Pronounce “niche”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /niːʃ/
- British (UK)
- /niːʃ/
- Australian (AU)
- /niːʃ/
What “niche” means
noun — A small specialised segment of a market, or a shallow recess in a wall.
Example: The magazine found a profitable niche among amateur beekeepers.
Synonyms: speciality, recess
Pronunciation Notes
The final e is silent. The transcription /niːʃ/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “niche” is not pronounced.
A loanword from French. French for a recess or nook. Both the French-style “neesh” and the fully anglicised “nitch” are standard; “neesh” is the more common in British English, “nitch” more common in American.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "niche" mean?
niche (noun): A small specialised segment of a market, or a shallow recess in a wall. For example — The magazine found a profitable niche among amateur beekeepers.
How do you pronounce "niche" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "niche", /niːʃ/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.
What is the IPA transcription of "niche"?
/niːʃ/ in American English, /niːʃ/ in British English, /niːʃ/ in Australian English.
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