emotional quotient

noun

1

: the ability to recognize, understand, and deal skillfully with one's own emotions and the emotions of others (as by regulating one's emotions or by showing empathy and good judgment in social interactions) : emotional intelligence

"… I have also learned that in a role where you are outside of your expertise, having good emotional quotient and being able to read people is hugely beneficial."

—Tracey Henderson

As humans, we are born with emotions, which are a bona fide superpower if you learn how to use them. … Having high emotional intelligence, or emotional quotient, is the point where you have mastered your emotions.

—Lisa Lundy

—abbreviation EQ

2

: a measurement of a person's emotional intelligence level

While IQ measures an individual's intellectual reasoning, EQ—which stands for emotional quotient—is a person's ability to understand, exhibit and manage their emotions. EQ skills, often referred to as "emotional intelligence," are particularly useful when managing stress, communicating and empathizing with others, and navigating conflict.

—Megan Sauer

—abbreviation EQ

Examples of emotional quotient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The emotional quotient is high, as fragrance can set off chemical reactions in a person’s brain. —Jennifer Weil, WWD, 8 Oct. 2024

Upping the occasion’s emotional quotient was the fact that during a very low point in his career, Wilson was an addict living on the streets of Hollywood. —Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2024

Boosting the ballad’s emotional quotient: the take-me-to-church, soul-searing vocals of Long’s six backing vocalists. —Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 27 Nov. 2023

For me, this means talking openly about my own successes and failures building a personal brand, working on my EQ (emotional quotient), and helping others become their best selves. —Ryan O'Keeffe, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022

Perhaps Mercedes should rename its EQ subbrand IQ, because the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS580 feels as if it were developed to appeal to individuals with the emotional quotient of Mark Zuckerberg and the intelligence quotient of Albert Einstein. —Greg Fink, Car and Driver, 12 July 2022

To avoid being replaced by AI, students must also possess high emotional intelligence (also known as emotional quotient, or EQ) and soft skills that AI and machines can't imitate and automate. —Zheng Fan, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1