Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

thirdhand

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.12 in modern English

Syllables: third-hand
IPA

17

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Having been relayed by two intermediate sources.

adj

Having had two previous owners.

adv

By two intermediates.

Example Sentences

"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."
"Harare, the capital, was abuzz on Tuesday with such so-called insider accounts, each one undoubtedly taking new plot twists as they went from secondhand to thirdhand and further on."

Etymology

From third + hand.

Inflected Forms

more thirdhand (comparative) most thirdhand (superlative) third-hand (alternative)

Frequently Paired Words

firsthand secondhand

Rhymes With

and hand understand land stand band grand demand brand planned sand banned

Questions

What does thirdhand mean?: Having been relayed by two intermediate sources.
Where does thirdhand come from?: From third + hand.

How to pronounce thirdhand

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “thirdhand”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “thirdhand” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.