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

• direct
• immediate
• primary
• unmediated

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

Based on firsthand experience and expert recommendations, assembling a comprehensive emergency kit well in advance is non-negotiable. —Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

But despite a mountain of firsthand accounts, the murder’s masterminds never saw justice. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025

Through firsthand accounts from former employees, the exposé gets to the heart of the bold expedition that ended in disaster. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 4 June 2025

The upcoming game has also offered LAFC a firsthand view of FIFA’s operations. —Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 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