auteur

noun

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

Examples of auteur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the decade since her public coming-out as a trans woman — after years spent as a reclusive auteur around whom basic physical evidence barely existed — Wachowski has done a bit more to put herself in a public spotlight. —Nick Newman, IndieWire, 1 June 2026

What’s going to happen to these auteurs? —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 1 June 2026

The 2026 Cannes Film Festival was a little quieter than previous editions, to be sure—there was a dearth of Hollywood blockbusters, some more middling work from respected auteurs, and a few genuine head-scratchers. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 May 2026

Each May, movie stars and celebrities descend on the South of France for the international event, where high-profile films from the industry’s auteurs make their premiere. —Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 21 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing auteur

• auteur theory

Rhymes for auteur

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