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
Nathan Bomey, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
The average price of a dozen eggs of any kind at the end of December was $4.33, up nearly 25% from the beginning of November, according to Nielsen IQ data provided by the American Egg Board.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
The prevailing education system, one rooted in IQ (intelligence quotient) rather than EQ (emotional quotient), is creating noticeable gaps in the skills needed to lead today’s dynamic workforce.
—Lynette Tan, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Considering the size of this increase, the authors suggest that childhood lead exposure would have led to widespread cognitive declines of roughly 2.5-3 IQ points throughout the Empire.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for IQ 
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Noun
The full-year performance fell short of S&P Capital IQ estimates of $15.82 billion in earnings and $401.2 billion in revenue.
—Nathan Bomey, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
The average price of a dozen eggs of any kind at the end of December was $4.33, up nearly 25% from the beginning of November, according to Nielsen IQ data provided by the American Egg Board.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
The prevailing education system, one rooted in IQ (intelligence quotient) rather than EQ (emotional quotient), is creating noticeable gaps in the skills needed to lead today’s dynamic workforce.
—Lynette Tan, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Considering the size of this increase, the authors suggest that childhood lead exposure would have led to widespread cognitive declines of roughly 2.5-3 IQ points throughout the Empire.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for IQ
Dictionary Entries Near IQ
Cite this Entry
“IQ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IQ. Accessed 21 Jan. 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
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