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
Josh Yohe, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Its 13-inch PixelSense display goes up to 120Hz with Dolby Vision IQ and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
The funding was led by IQ Capital and Zacua Ventures, with participation from Pear VC, Imad, Sunna Ventures, Armada Investment, and Holcim.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025
The plant produces the Chevrolet Silverado EV, the GMC Sierra Denali, the Cadillac Escalade IQ and the Hummer EV SUV and pickup.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for IQ
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Noun
Kindel is blossoming into a special two-way center his hockey IQ is his greatest trait.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Its 13-inch PixelSense display goes up to 120Hz with Dolby Vision IQ and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
The funding was led by IQ Capital and Zacua Ventures, with participation from Pear VC, Imad, Sunna Ventures, Armada Investment, and Holcim.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025
The plant produces the Chevrolet Silverado EV, the GMC Sierra Denali, the Cadillac Escalade IQ and the Hummer EV SUV and pickup.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 25 Nov. 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 3 Dec. 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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