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

But no organization can replace the value of firsthand experience. —Mary D. Kane, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026

And the January 6th Oral History Project Act preserves firsthand accounts so the truth of that day can never be erased or rewritten. —Norma Torres, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026

Beauboeuf-Lafontant described Renfrow Smith as her family’s memory keeper, preserving two centuries of family history through firsthand recollection. —Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 5 Jan. 2026

According to the Boston Consulting Group, the secondhand fashion and luxury market is growing three times faster than the firsthand market. —Mari Sato, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 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