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
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
The growth in private investment is giving rise to even more valuable private companies: Some 87% of firms with revenues of $100 million or more are private, according to S&P Capital IQ (SPGI+1.30%).
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 23 Dec. 2024
By now, most leaders have heard about the emotional quotient (EQ), often considered the soft-skill equivalent of the intelligence quotient (IQ).
—Emmanuel Carrillo, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
The thing is, what Sasson is doing with his speed and hockey IQ is pretty interesting.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for IQ 
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Noun
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
The growth in private investment is giving rise to even more valuable private companies: Some 87% of firms with revenues of $100 million or more are private, according to S&P Capital IQ (SPGI+1.30%).
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 23 Dec. 2024
By now, most leaders have heard about the emotional quotient (EQ), often considered the soft-skill equivalent of the intelligence quotient (IQ).
—Emmanuel Carrillo, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
The thing is, what Sasson is doing with his speed and hockey IQ is pretty interesting.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
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 9 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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