cinephile

noun

cine·​phile ˈsi-nə-ˌfī(-ə)l How to pronounce cinephile (audio)
: a lover of films : a cinema enthusiast

Examples of cinephile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The film has sold out seven shows and counting at including several with no Q&As, attracting a mix of young cinephile and Filipino-American audiences. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2026 For many cinephiles, film historians, and critics, Italian cinema is modern cinema. — Erik Morse, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026 In hindsight, that was a sign of having lived in the bubble of NYC cinephile culture for 20 years by that time. — José Salazar, IndieWire, 24 Aug. 2026 Oenophiles can store their wine collection in the home’s original cellar, with space for about 4,000 bottles, and cinephiles can get comfy in the cinema, outfitted with theater-like seating. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cinephile

Word History

Etymology

French cinéphile, from ciné + -phile

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cinephile was in 1929

Browse Nearby Words

cineole
cinephile
cineplastic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cinephile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinephile. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All