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
Tessa McCann, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2026
Emerging evidence indicates that air pollution is also associated with dementia in adults and with IQ loss, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children.
—Ella Whitman, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
With a 460-mile range, the Cadillac Escalade goes all-electric with the Escalade IQ.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
Hamer said Mirković’s basketball IQ is his strongest attribute.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
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Noun
More than $45 billion worth of investment in the sector was recorded in 2025, up sharply from just under $25 billion in 2024, according to Space IQ, a report tracking startup activity and investment trends in the space economy.
—Tessa McCann, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2026
Emerging evidence indicates that air pollution is also associated with dementia in adults and with IQ loss, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children.
—Ella Whitman, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
With a 460-mile range, the Cadillac Escalade goes all-electric with the Escalade IQ.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
Hamer said Mirković’s basketball IQ is his strongest attribute.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for IQ
Cite this Entry
“IQ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IQ. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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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