Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A surname: "Tarantino" is an Italian surname.
   • A specific individual: It most commonly refers to Quentin Tarantino, a highly influential and acclaimed American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor, known for his distinctive stylistic and narrative approach to filmmaking.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The film festival will feature a retrospective on Tarantino. (This refers to the works of Quentin Tarantino.)
  • His directing style is very Tarantino-esque. (This uses the name adjectivally to describe a style reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino's work.)

Advanced Usage

• The name "Tarantino" is often used metonymically to refer to the body of work or the distinctive characteristics (such as nonlinear storytelling, stylized violence, pop culture references, and eclectic soundtracks) associated with Quentin Tarantino.
  • This movie's dialogue and chapter-based structure are pure Tarantino.

Variants and Related Words

• Tarantinoesque (adjective): Having qualities characteristic of Quentin Tarantino's films.
  • The movie's violent yet witty dialogue was decidedly Tarantinoesque.

Synonyms

• Quentin Tarantino: The full name of the individual.
• QT: A common informal abbreviation used among film critics and fans.

Notes on Meaning

• While "Tarantino" is primarily a surname, in contemporary global English usage, its dominant and most specific referent is the filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. It is rarely used in a general sense without this association in modern cultural discourse.

Noun

1. United States filmmaker (born in 1963)