cinephile

noun

cine·​phile ˈsi-nə-ˌfī(-ə)l How to pronounce cinephile (audio)
: a lover of films : a cinema enthusiast

Examples of cinephile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The Sweet East filmmaker Sean Price Williams was one of the many filmmakers like Frederick Wiseman, Céline Sciamma, and Leos Carax, who visited the cinema when local volunteers and cinephiles occupied the building after its closure to host daily screenings and talks. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026 At a free insider preview at Schwartz-Goldstein Hall at the Temple in Atlanta, cinephiles will get a sneak peek at the wide-ranging lineup of films soon to screen at the 26th annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Danielle Charbonneau, AJC.com, 11 Jan. 2026 Alamo Drafthouse, the dine-in theater chain that’s popular among cinephiles, is trying to reduce distractions at the movies. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026 Without question, Bardot expanded the appeal of international films from cinephiles and college students. Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cinephile

Word History

Etymology

French cinéphile, from ciné + -phile

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cinephile was in 1929

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Cite this Entry

“Cinephile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinephile. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.

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