auteur

1 of 2

noun (1)

au·​teur ō-ˈtu̇r 

-ˈtər

1

: a film director whose practice accords with the auteur theory

broadly : director sense c

2

: an artist (such as a musician or writer) whose style and practice are distinctive

auteurist

ō-ˈtər-ist 

adjective or noun

auteurism

2 of 2

noun (2)

au·​teur·​ism ō-ˈtər-ˌi-zəm 

-ˈtœr-

plural -s

: auteur theory

auteurist

ō-ˈtər-ist 

-ˈtœr-

noun or adjective

auteuristic

ˌō-ˌtər-ˈi-stik, 

-ˌtœr-

adjective

While it might be too glib to say that Allen's art mirrors his life, it is certainly true to say that his films are auteuristic expressions of his own neuroses and concerns.

—Neil Norman, Evening Standard (London), 14 Aug. 1992

Examples of auteur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Madonna was stopped dead in her tracks by the strapping 30-year-old auteur of the nouvelle vague gangster movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, an eye-popping directorial debut. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 5 July 2026

This year’s Cinema Paradiso lineup reflects the festival’s mix of cinephile nostalgia, contemporary auteurs, live music and Parisian spectacle. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 3 July 2026

Movies, a cinematic experience with great auteurs and international acclaim, were seen as far more prestigious than television, despite the latter's much larger audience. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Netflix loves to trumpet their championing of cinematic auteurs like Martin Scorsese, Jane Campion, Alfonso Cuaron and Greta Gerwig, among many others. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French, originator, author, from Old French autor, from Latin auctor — more at author

Noun (2)

auteur + -ism

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1962, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1968, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing auteur

• auteur theory

Rhymes for auteur

• blotter
• cotter
• daughter
• hotter
• mater
• otter
• plotter
• rotter
• slaughter
• spotter
• squatter
• totter