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 acquisition also extends mk2 Films’ long-running relationships with auteurs around the world. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Fashion’s relationship with art is a conundrum that’s plagued the minds of some of its greatest auteurs. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 3 Oct. 2026

There were online comments galore about Paul Thomas Anderson and Benny Safdie sightings at Cameron Winter‘s show at Carnegie Hall last December, and how both of these name-brand auteurs were running around with Panavision rigs on their shoulders. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

As ever, the lineup is a mix of new features from Asia’s best auteurs, a sprinkling of Hollywood movies and projects from up-and-coming filmmakers. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 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