auteur theory

noun

: a view of filmmaking in which the director is considered the primary creative force in a movie

Examples of auteur theory in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If that sounds a lot like another, even more famous Hitchcock film (and there will be more about that one, and Hitchcock, below) just chalk it up to further support for the auteur theory. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025 A lot of very dumb things have been said about the auteur theory in recent years, all of which ignore its beautiful central tenet, which is that some filmmakers’ sensibilities shine through their work no matter the material. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of auteur theory was in 1962

Rhymes for auteur theory

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auteurism
auteur theory
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Cite this Entry

“Auteur theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auteur%20theory. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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