firsthand

adjective

first·​hand ˈfərst-ˈhand How to pronounce firsthand (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Top business and career coaches from Forbes Coaches Council offer firsthand insights on leadership development & careers. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 An amazing firsthand account of some of the leading cultural and political figures at the turn of the century. New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 Some communities with firsthand experience of fire destruction, like Paradise, have led the way in building fire-resilient neighborhoods. Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 15 Jan. 2025 According to a firsthand account shared on Reddit this week, the Delta Sky Club in Salt Lake City International Airport was apparently disrupted when one dog urinated inside the lounge as its owner walked away, ignoring the mess. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for firsthand 

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of firsthand was in 1699

Dictionary Entries Near firsthand

Cite this Entry

“Firsthand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firsthand. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

firsthand

adjective
first·​hand ˈfərst-ˈhand How to pronounce firsthand (audio)
: coming directly from the original source
a firsthand account of the war
firsthand adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on firsthand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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