English Reference

Word

directorial

Phoneticsdi·rec·to·ri·al

US/daɪɹɛkˈtɔɹiəɫ/

UK/daɪɹɪktˈɔːɹɪəl/

Definition

adj. relating to a director or the way a director manages a project, like a movie or a play.

adj. relating to a director or the manner in which a director oversees or manages a creative or administrative project.

Examples

“The film has a very distinctive directorial style.”

“The new directorial approach focuses on the actors' emotional depth rather than the special effects.”

“While the script was written by a professional playwright, the directorial choices during the final scene were entirely the responsibility of the stage manager.”

Examples

simple

“The film has a very distinctive directorial style.”

contextual

“The new directorial approach focuses on the actors' emotional depth rather than the special effects.”

complex

“While the script was written by a professional playwright, the directorial choices during the final scene were entirely the responsibility of the stage manager.”

Real-World Examples

“Jesse Eisenberg’s last two directorial efforts – the prickly comedy When You Finish Saving the World and the slightly softer A Real Pain – are small films rooted in the real world.”
The Guardian · 15 Sept 2026
“We could make a whole Sutherland competition [recognising directorial debut] easily and have only female directors.”
The Guardian · 2 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference