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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Origin of firsthand

First recorded in 1690–1700; first + hand

Words nearby firsthand

first-foot, first four ships, first fruits, first-generation, first gentleman, firsthand, first-in, first-out, first intention, First International, First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, first lady

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

How to use firsthand in a sentence

They’re gaining a year of firsthand experience in resilience, flexibility and grit that’s rarely part of a lesson plan.
The mid-pandemic return to school is totally weird for kids. And possibly lonely, too.|Petula Dvorak|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
To forestall that particular future, the project suggests, perhaps we have to travel there ourselves, seeing it — and smelling it — firsthand.
Aromas can evoke beloved journeys — or voyages not yet taken|Jen Rose Smith|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
The medium of late-night offers that wide reach to affirm the values of hard truths even for those who’ve experience it daily firsthand.
Late-night TV sensation Amber Ruffin and her sister co-wrote a book about racism. And, yes, it’s hilarious.|Hau Chu|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
Lucy Jordan, a British writer living in Brazil with her family, experienced this firsthand.
If you’re a solo parent traveling internationally with your kids, be ready for this question|Gina Rich|February 4, 2021|Washington Post

I saw that firsthand, and you can see it in his coaching record.
Tennessee hires Josh Heupel to fix one of college football’s most high-profile messes|Matt Bonesteel|January 27, 2021|Washington Post
Former RSD instructor Nathan Kole says he saw firsthand how this “alpha male” marketing can damage students.
The Secret World of Pickup Artist Julien Blanc|Brandy Zadrozny|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Documents and firsthand accounts of Clausewitz at war by others are few and far between.
How Clausewitz Invented Modern War|James A. Warren|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is a critically important role, and something I've seen firsthand.
The Valerie Jarrett I Know: How She Saved the Obama Campaign and Why She’s Indispensable|Joshua DuBois|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Korematsu knew firsthand the dangers of war-time hysteria and pleaded that we not make that mistake again.
Obama’s ISIS War Is Illegal|Sen. Rand Paul|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I saw personally, firsthand, what drug use and drug abuse is doing to an underprivileged population.
Can Congress Get Stoned Now That D.C. Has Legalized Marijuana?|Abby Haglage|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The character of his comments makes it clear that he had a firsthand knowledge of the books that he cites.
A History of Bibliographies of Bibliographies|Archer Taylor
The schools can give the students a firsthand knowledge of the various phases of library work, and this is important.
Papers and Proceedings of the Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting of the American Library Association Held at Ottawa, Canada June 26-July 2, 1912|Various
Of course, the value of natural objects and firsthand acquaintance was not dependent upon the truth of the theory.
Democracy and Education|John Dewey
Once in a great while historians find a firsthand account that provides striking insight into a past era.
Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.|Philip Vickers Fithian
Now, from her new employer, she was to learn at firsthand how people in the world of fashion comported themselves.
Superwomen|Albert Payson Terhune

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.