latent need

USAGE SUMMARY

"latent need" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an unmet need or desire that exists, but has not yet been acknowledged or realized. For example, "The latent need for more affordable housing in the area was finally recognized after years of neglect."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

There was a latent need for something like this".

BBC

This context shows a latent need to adapt existing intelligence mechanisms and prevention and detection security measures.

European Journal of Futures Research

Once you understand corporate buying patterns, how to build an SaaS product and sales team and uncover a latent need at a big company, the route to success becomes a bit more formulaic.

TechCrunch

The training not only increases competencies of birth attendants but also meets their latent need for higher-quality resuscitation equipment.

Global health, science and practice

Unfortunately, some of the populations that are most exposed to abuse are vulnerable groups (i.e. confined or chronically ill individuals, elderly patients, pregnant women, single mothers, economically disadvantaged populations), whose main weakness is a latent need to be treated, receive medical care or be assisted in some other way.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That's why Google struggles in user experience, creating new product categories, and fitting its products to the latent needs of users: all of those are intuition-led activities in which it's very hard to prove ahead of time what's right or wrong.

The Guardian - Tech

The process of uncovering latent needs is characterized by understanding more about users than they know about themselves.

TechCrunch

Such surveys rarely bring out the real latent needs of users.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The knowledge of these latent needs helps and guides the firm to develop the relevant marketing capabilities.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Hence, companies may not be able to have a comprehensive list of customer aspirations and latent needs.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Similar debates have animated marketing scholars for decades in terms of existing and latent needs (see, e.g., Slater and Narver 1998).

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing market research or product development, use "latent need" to describe customer needs that are not yet recognized or articulated. This helps frame the opportunity for innovation and market disruption.

Common error

Avoid using "latent need" when the need is already apparent or widely acknowledged. Reserve the term for situations where the need is present but not yet recognized or addressed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "latent need" functions as a noun phrase, where 'latent' modifies the noun 'need'. It describes a requirement, desire, or problem that is not yet obvious or fully developed. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "latent need" refers to an unfulfilled or unacknowledged requirement. Grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it finds common ground in academic, news, and business contexts, marking its presence as uncommon but purposeful. Related phrases such as "unrecognized requirement" and "unmet desire" highlight different aspects of this hidden necessity. When employing this phrase, be sure the need truly exists, but is not yet apparent to others. In essence, "latent need" serves as a strategic term to pinpoint opportunities for innovation and problem-solving by identifying and addressing those underlying wants that have yet to surface.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unrecognized requirement

Focuses on the aspect of the need not being acknowledged.

unmet desire

Highlights the wanting aspect that is unfulfilled.

dormant necessity

Emphasizes the potential and inactivity of the need.

untapped demand

Highlights the aspect of potential market or resource.

unarticulated want

Focuses on the need not being expressed.

hidden imperative

Emphasizes the underlying importance of the need.

subconscious urge

Highlights the need arising from deeper psychological factors.

underlying requirement

Focuses on the basic, fundamental nature of the need.

tacit necessity

Highlights the implied, unspoken aspect of the need.

implicit demand

Emphasizes that the need is suggested though not directly expressed.

FAQs

How can I identify a "latent need"?

Identifying a "latent need" requires deep understanding of user behavior, market trends, and technological capabilities. Techniques such as ethnographic research, data analysis, and design thinking can help uncover these hidden needs.

What's the difference between a "latent need" and an expressed need?

A "latent need" is a need that exists but is not yet recognized or articulated by the individual or market. An expressed need is a need that has been explicitly communicated or demanded.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "latent need"?

You can use alternatives like "unrecognized requirement", "unmet desire", or "dormant necessity" depending on the specific context.

Why is understanding "latent needs" important in business?

Understanding "latent needs" allows businesses to develop innovative products and services that address unmet desires, creating a competitive advantage and potentially disrupting existing markets. It allows a business to be ahead of the competition.