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
Frederica Perera, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
The consensus among analysts polled by Capital IQ was $14.58 billion.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024
In October, a WIRED investigation by reporter David Gilbert uncovered a pattern of AI search tools citing racist and debunked IQ scores for African countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leone.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Cadillac’s recent shift into electric luxury doesn’t figure to change that much, with the all-electric Escalade IQ carrying on the tradition, but the Escalade’s role as the Wreath and Crest’s standard-bearer didn’t come easy.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for IQ 
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Noun
In a New York City study, my colleagues and I found that IQ scores and academic achievement dropped in children prenatally exposed to air pollution from cars, construction and industry.
—Frederica Perera, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
The consensus among analysts polled by Capital IQ was $14.58 billion.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024
In October, a WIRED investigation by reporter David Gilbert uncovered a pattern of AI search tools citing racist and debunked IQ scores for African countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leone.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Cadillac’s recent shift into electric luxury doesn’t figure to change that much, with the all-electric Escalade IQ carrying on the tradition, but the Escalade’s role as the Wreath and Crest’s standard-bearer didn’t come easy.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 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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