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
Shane Young, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
That study estimated that childhood exposure to lead from gasoline cost Americans about 824 million IQ points.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024
All numbers five-on-five, via Puck IQ Ekholm and Bouchard shine across all levels of competition.
—Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Build Emotional Intelligence Research indicates that emotional intelligence (EI) is a significant predictor of academic performance, complementing traditional measures like IQ.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for IQ 
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Noun
From night to night, the IQ and gameplan focus are closely resembling a Finals contender ...
—Shane Young, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
That study estimated that childhood exposure to lead from gasoline cost Americans about 824 million IQ points.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024
All numbers five-on-five, via Puck IQ Ekholm and Bouchard shine across all levels of competition.
—Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Build Emotional Intelligence Research indicates that emotional intelligence (EI) is a significant predictor of academic performance, complementing traditional measures like IQ.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 21 Nov. 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 20 Dec. 2024.
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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