firsthand

or first-hand

[ furst-hand ]

/ ˈfɜrstˈhænd /

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See synonyms for firsthand on Thesaurus.com

adverb

from the first or original source: We heard the news of the accident firsthand from a witness.

adjective

of or relating to the first or original source.

direct from the original source: firsthand knowledge of the riot.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of firsthand

First recorded in 1690–1700; first + hand

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use firsthand in a sentence

We wanted to understand first-hand what it was really like for struggling families to live in this mined-out coal town.
Filming a Beautiful Town in Decay: ‘Rich Hill’ and the Elusive American Dream|Tracy Droz Tragos|July 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dr. Gardere said he has seen first-hand the role faith has played in helping people recover from seemingly unfathomable setbacks.
Donna Rice: ‘My Heart Really Goes Out to Monica Lewinsky’|Keli Goff|May 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Affleck revealed that it was hearing first-hand stories that awoke him to the “moral obligation” of intervening.
Why Does Congress Listen to Celebrities like Ben Affleck?|Tim Teeman|February 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I know first-hand that it can be difficult to confront such issues.
The Struggle To Find Trans Love|Julia Serano|January 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Teaching for two years in Harlem, Jonathan Sheehan saw first-hand how standardized testing is destroying public education.
A Teach for America Alum On How Testing Is Hurting Our Kids|Jonathan Sheehan|October 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Apart from him and his adherents there is indeed no first-hand evidence for Palladian Masonry.
Devil-Worship in France|Arthur Edward Waite
Human life at first-hand had not been too plentiful with him.
Tristram of Blent|Anthony Hope
Before oil was introduced for the lamps it is said the lantern was lit by coal-fires—a kind of first-hand use of gas.
The Cornwall Coast|Arthur L. Salmon
Possibly the first-hand memoir of a miracle would have satisfied us, or the harrowing confessions and last wishes of the moribund.
Where the Pavement Ends|John Russell
A first-hand account of how the Indian brave decorated his face cannot but prove of interest.
The Myths of the North American Indians|Lewis Spence

British Dictionary definitions for firsthand

first-hand

adjective, adverb

from the original source; direct or directlyfirst-hand news; he got the news first-hand

at first hand from the original source; directly

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with firsthand

first hand

see at first hand.