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

The film marked the feature directorial debut of auteur Michael Bay and, despite mixed reviews from critics, became a box office success due to Lawrence and Smith's undeniable on-screen chemistry. —Hanna Flanagan, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025

The auteur previously denied the bulk of the allegations on April 4, but did confirm that two allegedly consensual kisses occurred with his then-26-year-old assistant between December 2023 and May 2024. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2025

Christopher Nolan did not make it to CinemaCon this year — the Oscar-winning auteur is deep in production on his upcoming epic The Odyssey — but his name did come up on the main stage. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025

Photo: Getty Images The auteur confirmed the news on March 31 at CinemaCon, showing up towards the end of the Sony Pictures presentation to reveal further details. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025

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

• amour
• grandeur
• hauteur
• velour
• verdure
• voyeur
• doer
• poor
• poore
• raconteur