1
: a number used to express the apparent relative intelligence of a person: such as
a
: a score determined by one's performance on a standardized intelligence test relative to the average performance of others of the same age
b
: the ratio of the mental age (as reported on a standardized test) to the chronological age multiplied by 100
2
: proficiency in or knowledge of a specified subject
nobody questioned his hockey IQ
the same as
Examples of IQ in a Sentence
Noun
They wanted me to take an IQ test.
he has a movie IQ that is off the charts
Recent Examples on the Web
Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 22 Feb. 2025
In a November social media post, Kennedy claimed fluoride is linked to a variety of health issues, including arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease — but experts disagree.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 21 Feb. 2025
According to data from Nielsen IQ, hydration supplements and electrolyte supplements reached nearly $785 million and $383 million in omnichannel U.S. sales in 2024 respectively, growing about 32 percent and 45 percent from the prior year.
—Emily Burns, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025
Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for IQ
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.
Noun
In the meantime, Humane engineers will form a group called HP IQ, an innovation lab that will apparently build an ecosystem of smart features throughout HP's line of products.
—Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 22 Feb. 2025
In a November social media post, Kennedy claimed fluoride is linked to a variety of health issues, including arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease — but experts disagree.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 21 Feb. 2025
According to data from Nielsen IQ, hydration supplements and electrolyte supplements reached nearly $785 million and $383 million in omnichannel U.S. sales in 2024 respectively, growing about 32 percent and 45 percent from the prior year.
—Emily Burns, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025
Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for IQ
Cite this Entry
“IQ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IQ. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
IQ
noun
: a number that is often used as a measure of a person's intelligence and is found by dividing the mental age of the person as given by a score on a special test by the age in years and multiplying by 100
Etymology
Noun
intelligence quotient
Medical Definition
IQ
noun
: a number used to express the apparent relative intelligence of a person based on the results of standardized testing: as
a
: the ratio of the mental age (as reported on a standardized test) to the chronological age multiplied by 100
b
: a score determined by one's performance on a standardized intelligence test relative to the average performance of others of the same age
Etymology
Noun
intelligence quotient
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share