auteur

noun

au·​teur ō-ˈtu̇r How to pronounce auteur (audio)
-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 adjective or noun

Examples of auteur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its artistic yet pragmatic nature also defines Valladolid’s role as a place of discovery platform, a prestige auteurs’ hub just weeks after San Sebastián — and a bridge for awards-season exposure. Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025 The horror auteur announced the new project on Instagram on Monday with a shot of the cover page of the series' pilot script, weighted down by one of the iconic black orbs. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Oct. 2025 Scorsese asked about the future of Iranian cinema given all the great auteurs who have left the country. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025 Inside Guadagnino’s world, the auteur is famously known for unmasking another side of a performer. Malik Peay, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for auteur

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of auteur was in 1962

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Auteur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auteur. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on auteur

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!