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.
Advertisement The next ‘Big Lie’ That brings us to 2024, when, if Trump loses, we will be inundated with false videos, firsthand stories and other specious proofs of the undocumented immigrant votes that turned the election. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 The group is running digital ads in some of the state’s most populous cities featuring firsthand accounts from women who were forced to leave the state for treatment during their pregnancies, or grew sicker while waiting for care. Bracey Harris, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2024 For example, Grace said, a story about Hurricane Milton is verifiable if the reporter is citing a firsthand account from someone in Florida experiencing the hurricane themselves. Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024 Her groundbreaking work, The History of Mary Prince, not only provided a poignant firsthand account of the brutal realities of slavery but also played a crucial role in the abolitionist movement. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 24 Oct. 2024 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 21 Nov. 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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