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

• 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

The best campaigns stem from not just demographic or buying behavioral data but firsthand knowledge of the person buying your product or service. —Chris O'Neill, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

Many Iranians have firsthand experience with the United States enforcing a regime change in their country. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 18 June 2025

Celebrities such as 2 Chainz, Nelly, Shaquille O’Neal, Quavo, Killer Mike and Big Boi share their firsthand Magic City experiences in exclusive interviews. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 June 2025

The royal made it to the base on June 4 for a firsthand introduction to the 4 Regiment Army Air Corps (4AAC) who are based at Wattisham. —Janine Henni, People.com, 4 June 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