secondhand meaning and definition

SECONDHAND adjective

Definition of secondhand (adjective)

1. derived from what is primary or original; not firsthand
   • "a secondhand report"; "a secondhand account of a memory of something once read"; "most of our knowledge is secondhand"
2. previously used or owned by another
   • "bought a secondhand (or used) car"
   • synonyms: used

SECONDHAND adverb

Definition of secondhand (adverb)

1. by indirect means
   • "I heard about it only secondhand or thirdhand"; "he prefers to buy secondhand"