thirdhand

American  

[thurd-hand] / ˈθɜrdˈhænd /

adjective

1. previously used or owned by two successive people.

2. (loosely) secondhand, especially in poor condition.

3. obtained through two intermediates successively; twice removed from the original source.

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adverb

1. after two other users or owners.

   He bought the guitar thirdhand.

2. by way of several intermediate sources; indirectly.

Etymology

Origin of thirdhand

First recorded in 1545–55; third + hand

Example Sentences

One is the dense, dialect-heavy Gothic novel, 300-plus pages of exposition told second- or even thirdhand.

From Salon • Feb. 21, 2026

Ford said he “certainly did not” approve of the relationship between his daughter and Hagans, which he heard about second- or thirdhand because the woman didn’t tell him about it.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 10, 2022

It is an article of faith among data experts and the Census Bureau itself that data obtained directly from people are more reliable than secondhand or thirdhand data from other sources.

From New York Times • Mar. 12, 2022

The invitation came thirdhand, and the details were murky but intriguing.

From Scientific American • Feb. 7, 2022

Thus she was able to get a little thirdhand information about her father and mother, Ben and Old Rit, or about one of her brothers or sisters.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry