From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfirst-handˌfirst-ˈhand (also firsthand) /ˌfɜːstˈhænd $ ˌfɜːrst-/ adjective [only before noun] → first-hand experience/knowledge/account etc —first-hand adverb experience gained first-hand → (at) first hand at first1(8)
Examples from the Corpus
first-hand• This letter remains the only first-hand account of life on the island in the 17th century.• Such beliefs are born out of first-hand experience and second-hand stories.• This understanding needs to be informed, up-to-date and backed by first-hand experience, not based on hearsay or second-hand impressions.• I had first-hand experience of that.• Millions of people across the world have first-hand experience of what it can do.• Clara knew from first-hand experience that living in a foreign country would be difficult.• International research tends to involve analyzing international data, rather than acquiring first-hand knowledge about international operations in other countries.• Besides, the people of Waterloo had first-hand knowledge of the advantages of public ownership.• Giving your children a first-hand look at your work can have a significant impact on their career aspirations. 