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
Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The move impacted production of the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Escalade IQ and approximately 360 employees were laid off.
—Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
The move impacted production of the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Escalade IQ and approximately 360 employees were laid off.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
One reported tiny increases in IQ, with the authors noting that even small differences could support critical tasks like learning and planning.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for IQ
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Noun
Though, still, the Escalade IQ earns its bragging rights; the model is on track to log sales of $1billion+ in 2025.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The move impacted production of the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Escalade IQ and approximately 360 employees were laid off.
—Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
The move impacted production of the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Escalade IQ and approximately 360 employees were laid off.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
One reported tiny increases in IQ, with the authors noting that even small differences could support critical tasks like learning and planning.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 2 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 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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