IQ

1 of 2

noun

ˌī-ˈkyü 

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

iq

2 of 2

abbreviation

the same as

Synonyms of IQ

Noun

• proficiency

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

Noun

Intrigued by Silicon Valley’s dot-com boom starting in the mid-1990s, Chaudhry made the choice to quit his job as an executive at IQ Software and build a company of his own. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 11 May 2026

General manager Sean Marks has often valued positional size, two-way versatility, creation, character, and basketball IQ. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026

Test your knowledge with my fun Evolution IQ Test. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026

But some studies point to health and psychological risks, such as IQ loss, heart issues and temporary paranoia and hallucinations. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

intelligence quotient

Abbreviation

Latin idem quod

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for IQ

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

IQ

noun

ˈī-ˈkyü 

: 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

ˌī-ˈkyü 

: 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