Thirdhand

adj, adv

adj, adv ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Having been relayed by two intermediate sources.

    "Considering that we had heard of one another in a rather third-hand manner, I was surprised at the warmth and energy with which he received me."

  2. 2
    Having had two previous owners.
Adjective
  1. 1
    derived from what is primary or original by two intermediate steps wordnet
Adverb
  1. 1
    By two intermediates.
Adverb
  1. 1
    by doubly indirect means wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
secondary

Example

More examples

"Considering that we had heard of one another in a rather third-hand manner, I was surprised at the warmth and energy with which he received me."

Etymology

From third + hand.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.