Crossword Genius

Hot inside particular nook (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

niche

'nook' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'hot inside particular' is the wordplay.
'hot' becomes 'h' (abbreviation eg on taps).
'inside' indicates putting letters inside.
'particular' becomes 'nice' (nice can mean particular or precise).
'h' put into 'nice' is 'NICHE'.

(Other definitions for niche that I've seen before include "Special location" , "Particularly suitable position" , "Suitable spot" , "Well-suited position" , "Select place in market" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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