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
Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Shares of the Japanese gaming giant have jumped 46% this year, adding roughly $39 billion to the stock's value, according to a CNBC calculation of data from S&P Capital IQ.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 18 June 2025
Cognitive development included the health of a child’s executive function skills, decision-making, memory, attention, learning, IQ and academic performance.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Bane is viewed by those around the league as a high IQ player with great character and a wide-ranging skill set.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for IQ
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Noun
Krebs can play successfully against elites (via Puck IQ), brings enough offence for a middle-six role (via Natural Stat Trick) and is on a value deal (via PuckPedia).
Krebs, 24, is a centre in Buffalo, but could easily work on the wing.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Shares of the Japanese gaming giant have jumped 46% this year, adding roughly $39 billion to the stock's value, according to a CNBC calculation of data from S&P Capital IQ.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 18 June 2025
Cognitive development included the health of a child’s executive function skills, decision-making, memory, attention, learning, IQ and academic performance.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Bane is viewed by those around the league as a high IQ player with great character and a wide-ranging skill set.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for IQ
Cite this Entry
“IQ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IQ. Accessed 5 Jul. 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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