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

Why not visit Germany right now to experience firsthand history-in-the-making, but at the same time bring back authentic Wall remnants? —Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Last year, the Legislature changed state law forbidding the state commission from investigating corruption or ethical complaints made against politicians if the person lodging the complaint did not have immediate firsthand knowledge of the activity at issue. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025

The first outing focused on one nurse’s misconduct to explore how women’s firsthand experiences of medical pain are routinely dismissed by hospitals, the justice system, and often the women themselves. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 10 July 2025

Is this firsthand, or just something whispered in the break room or at the last company off-site? —Elizabeth Pearson, Forbes.com, 22 July 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