Meaning & use
firsthand
Obtained directly from personal experience or the original source, rather than through others.
See it in a sentence
She gave a firsthand account of the earthquake, having been there when it struck.
I learned firsthand how difficult it is to run a small business.
A note on using this word
Firsthand can function as both an adjective, as in "firsthand knowledge," and an adverb, as in "learned it firsthand."
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
secondhandindirect
Make it your own
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