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

During the trip, the group will explore Cape Town, connect with business leaders and get a firsthand look at how global trade impacts communities. —Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

The students who were on campus during the collapse have since graduated, and with each new class, fewer people carry firsthand memories of that day. —Johane Saintil, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

White knows about that from firsthand experience. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026

The police report offered a firsthand account of the shooting from Rihanna’s perspective. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 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