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

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

The film emerged victorious in a lineup of 17 features at the Swiss fest, including new works by auteurs including Hong Sangsoo, Denis Côté, Ann Oren and Nelson Yeo. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

As these cameras are adopted by more and more auteurs, discussions around formats and aspect ratios are being built into how today’s big-budget films are advertised. — Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 16 July 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