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

Rodriguez mentioned he’s seen firsthand young Latino voters in his classrooms energized to vote against those condoning the raids. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

For a history assignment, a librarian might help students compare a newspaper account with a firsthand record. — Kafi Kumasi, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026

Valeria herself plays Luna, heading a cast of largely nonprofessional performers, some with firsthand experience of similar circumstances. — Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

North Korean engineers have learned from time spent working in Russia’s massive Yelabuga drone factory, and North Korean forces fighting alongside Russia have gained firsthand experience in integrating drones into modern combat. — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 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