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

That experience gave me firsthand insight into the financial instability many families face today. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026

As a longtime servant of the Earnshaw and Linton families—and Wuthering Heights' primary narrator—Nelly offers a firsthand but highly biased accounting of the events of the novel. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026

While Kimbal Musk’s ties to Epstein have been reported in news articles, a close look at the complete sequence of events and emails in the relationship with Sarah, along with firsthand details from an Epstein staffer at the time, reveals a far more nuanced picture. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026

Her long-term goals include finishing college and possibly becoming a trauma doctor, inspired by her firsthand experience. —Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026

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