"Firsthand" means directly from the original source, without any intermediary. You use "firsthand" to describe information, knowledge, or experience gained directly, not second-hand or from another person's account.
Understanding Firsthand Experiences and Information
- Direct Experience: A firsthand experience is something you personally witness or participate in. For example, "I had a firsthand experience of the earthquake." This implies you were present during the earthquake.
- Original Source: Firsthand information comes directly from the origin. A firsthand account of a historical event would be from someone who lived through it. For instance, "The journalist obtained firsthand accounts from survivors of the disaster."
- Contrast with Secondhand: The opposite of firsthand is secondhand. Secondhand information is something you learned from someone else, who learned it from someone else, etc.
Examples of Using "Firsthand"
- "I gained firsthand knowledge of the software by using it extensively." (Direct experience with the software)
- "His firsthand account of the war was harrowing." (Direct witness or participation in the war)
- "The report relied on firsthand interviews with eyewitnesses." (Information obtained directly from the source)
Practical Applications
- Research: Researchers strive for firsthand data through experiments, surveys, or interviews.
- Journalism: Journalists aim for firsthand accounts to provide accurate and credible reporting.
- Personal Narratives: Memoirs and autobiographies rely heavily on firsthand experiences.
The references support the definition and application of "firsthand" as directly from the source, whether that's a personal experience or information gathered directly from the origin. Examples include obtaining firsthand accounts from survivors (reference 1), using firsthand experiences for a novel (reference 2), and obtaining firsthand knowledge of a dispute (reference 1). Many references show the word used as an adjective describing the nature of experience or information.
