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

That’s the kind of relationship the two genre auteurs have nine years after Flanagan first adapted the literary giant’s work with Gerald’s Game. — Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

Yet there’s still plenty to look forward to at this year’s TIFF, including new films from international auteurs, intriguing thrillers from stylish filmmakers, surprising forays into genre, and, sure, awards bait. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

During the panel discussion, Gyllenhaal also addressed the pitch that AI can democratize filmmaking and allow auteurs to make big-budget projects at a fraction of the cost. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

The idea was intriguing; could one of cinema’s most idiosyncratic and provocative auteurs apply his skill set to a mainstream genre project without either Ferrara or Hollywood losing anything in the process? — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 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