Synonyms for

Firsthand

Verb / fɜ:ˈsthænd / / fɜ:ˈshænd / / ˈfɜ:sthænd / / ˈfɜ:shænd / Another word for firsthand — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Firsthand means directly experienced or observed by someone, rather than learned from someone else or from a book.

Synonyms & similar words

atfirsthand direct immediate personal primary real actual experiential empirical hands-on in-person eyewitness unchallenged unquestionable unassailable undeniable incontrovertible indisputable irrefutable unwavering unmitigated

Synonyms by register

Formal

direct primary original experiential

Informal

from the horse's mouth on the ground up close

Literary

from the source in person

Antonyms

indirect secondhand mediated reported hearsay unverified

Common collocations

  • firsthand experience
  • firsthand knowledge
  • firsthand account
  • firsthand information
  • firsthand observation
  • firsthand report
  • learn firsthand

Word family

noun firsthandedness
adjective firsthand
adverb firsthand

Usage note

Firsthand is typically used as an adjective or adverb to describe information or experience gained directly. It is generally considered neutral in register.

Example sentences

  1. I got firsthand experience of what it's like to be a firefighter.
  2. She wanted to hear the news firsthand from her friend.
  3. He witnessed the accident firsthand and was able to give a detailed account to the police.
  4. The reporter was determined to get the story firsthand, so she went to the source.
  5. The scientist conducted firsthand research to gather data for her study.

Quotes

  • "Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes." - Oscar Wilde
  • "You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore." - William Faulkner
  • "The only source of knowledge is experience." - Albert Einstein

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