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

The effort seeks to obtain firsthand accounts from Black Chicagoans about systemic racism to help inform a city-run study exploring options for reparations. —Aida Mogos, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

OpenAI was in discussions to rent around half of the facility’s capacity, a source with firsthand knowledge of the matter told CNBC. —Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026

Over the next several months, Julia helped Marie and Katas in their uncovering of Bateman's crimes, helping to share firsthand accounts of what was going on when cameras weren't rolling. —Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026

Highlights include a three-course dinner, live and silent auctions, live entertainment and dancing, along with firsthand stories from Home Start families. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 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