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 Although Jacqueline didn’t have firsthand experience of being a stepparent, her presence and ability to inspire was still acutely felt at the event. Marissa Charles, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 Drawing from firsthand experience and questioning conventional wisdom, even when deeply rooted in tradition, is vital for brands aiming to stay aligned with the dynamic landscape of evolving consumer expectations. Dana Dunne, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 First-Hand Account Testimonials When navigating the choice between pursuing a CFP® designation, a CPA certification, or both, individuals often seek insights from those with firsthand experience. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024 While many understand climate change through news articles and expert opinions, actively participating in data collection offers a firsthand glimpse into environmental impact. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 Matt Farwell, formerly of the 2-87 Infantry, catalogues the challenges with firsthand expertise: the substance abuse, the criminal activity, the suicide attempts. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 See their firsthand experience of the highs and lows of growing up in Detroit, balancing family, school, and athletics, while pursuing their dreams. Rivea Ruff, Essence, 30 Jan. 2024 To commemorate the milestone, Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, provided customers with a firsthand look at their skincare routines during a recent Amazon livestream, while highlighting some of their favorites from the collection. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 19 Feb. 2024 Mayors and local leaders have firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities within their jurisdictions. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'firsthand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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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