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
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2024
New technologies in air purification (meaning: quieter, smaller, and tougher on micro-particles) are also pushing interest in products by market leaders, including Coway, IQ Air, Winix, Blue Air, and Levoit.
—David Hochman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
The list of companies was generated from S&P Capital IQ based on LTM revenue as of August 20, 2024.
—Michelle Travis, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
Hosted by Jane Pauley The Cadillac Escalade IQ electric vehicle on the test track at GM's Milford Proving Ground in Milford, Mich.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for IQ 
Noun
According to British Music business publication IQ Mag, Haikou’s tourism bureau divulged that 95 percent of the attendees of the Mid-Autumn Festival came from outside the island.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2024
New technologies in air purification (meaning: quieter, smaller, and tougher on micro-particles) are also pushing interest in products by market leaders, including Coway, IQ Air, Winix, Blue Air, and Levoit.
—David Hochman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
The list of companies was generated from S&P Capital IQ based on LTM revenue as of August 20, 2024.
—Michelle Travis, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
Hosted by Jane Pauley The Cadillac Escalade IQ electric vehicle on the test track at GM's Milford Proving Ground in Milford, Mich.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for IQ
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'IQ.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near IQ
Cite this Entry
“IQ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IQ. Accessed 31 Oct. 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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