firsthand

adjective

first·​hand ˈfərst-ˈhand 

: obtained by, coming from, or being direct personal observation or experience

a firsthand account of the war

… had a firsthand view of the turmoil that wracked the region.

—William W. Finan, Jr.

firsthand adverb

Synonyms of firsthand

• primary
• direct
• immediate

Examples of firsthand in a Sentence

He gave a firsthand account of the battle.

She draws on firsthand experiences for her novel.

Recent Examples on the Web

Princess Kate, 43, previously brought her children to volunteer at the nonprofit’s Maidenhead, Berkshire hub in 2023, giving them a firsthand look at its work. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025

Located at the World Trade Center site, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum presents poignant artifacts—including the Last Column, the Survivor’s Stairs, and structural steel remnants—alongside firsthand testimonies, archival video, and immersive installations. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025

The book chronicles Harpootlian’s firsthand experience prosecuting Gaskins, who was executed in 1991 after confessing to at least 13 murders. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025

Investigators are looking to speak with witnesses, survivors and those with firsthand knowledge of the institutions. —Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for firsthand

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

firsthand

adjective

first·​hand ˈfərst-ˈhand 

: coming directly from the original source

a firsthand account of the war

firsthand adverb