director's chair: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumInformal/Specialised
Quick answer
What does “director's chair” mean?
A portable folding chair used typically by film and television directors on set.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A portable folding chair used typically by film and television directors on set.
A lightweight, often canvas, folding chair with a wooden or metal X-frame, distinctive sling seat and back, armrests, and usually a seatback pocket; metaphorically, a symbol of authority or creative control in a production or project.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept and design are identical.
Connotations
Primarily associated with the film/TV industry in both. In the US, it is also a popular style of informal, stylish home/outdoor furniture. In the UK, it may have a slightly stronger association with the film industry proper.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to its dual use as a furniture style term.
Grammar
How to Use “director's chair” in a Sentence
The [person] sat in the director's chair.The [object] was placed next to the director's chair.He rose from his director's chair.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “director's chair” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable as an adjective)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used metaphorically for leadership roles, e.g., 'She's now in the director's chair for the new project.'
Academic
Very rare; might appear in film/media studies texts describing on-set equipment or cultural symbols.
Everyday
Refers to the style of furniture, e.g., 'We bought a couple of director's chairs for the garden.'
Technical
Specific term in film/TV production for a piece of on-set equipment where the director typically sits.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “director's chair”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “director's chair”
- Misspelling as 'directors chair' (omitting the apostrophe).
- Using it to refer to any expensive or executive office chair.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While originating on film sets, it is now a popular style of casual, portable furniture used in homes, gardens, and events.
The pocket is traditionally used to hold a script, storyboard, or shooting schedule for easy access on a busy film set.
Yes. The phrase 'to be in the director's chair' is commonly used to mean being in charge or having creative control of any project, not just films.
A director's chair has a tall back, armrests, and an X-frame that folds side-to-side. A deck chair typically has a lower back, no armrests, and folds front-to-back into a long, flat package.
A portable folding chair used typically by film and television directors on set.
Director's chair is usually informal/specialised in register.
Director's chair: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈrɛk.təz ˈtʃeə/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈrɛk.tɚz ˈtʃɛr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In the director's chair (meaning: in a position of creative control).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a famous film DIRECTOR sitting on a chair with his/her name written on the backrest - that's the iconic DIRECTOR'S CHAIR.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CHAIR IS A POSITION OF AUTHORITY (e.g., 'taking the chair' in a meeting).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most defining visual feature of a traditional director's chair?