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

But the emergence of solo auteurs like Aesop Rock is a reminder that there’s much to enjoy about this current, weird moment, too. —Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2025

Five months after late auteur David Lynch died at age 78, the filmmaker’s personal collections will be put up for auction by his estate. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 May 2025

The event, celebrating its 78th edition, is a prestigious venue for auteurs. —Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 26 May 2025

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival saw a flurry of splashy releases debut on the Croisette—some from beloved auteurs who have already scooped the prestigious Palme d’Or in previous years (Julia Ducournau, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne) and others from those hoping to take it home for the very first time. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 24 May 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