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
Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Almost three quarters of family offices based in Asia-Pacific now engage in philanthropy, the highest rate globally, according to a 2024 report from investor services group IQ-EQ.
—Naina Subberwal Batra, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Instead, we’ve been trained to obsess over IQ, which has been our culture’s gold standard for aptitude since the early 20th century.
—Big Think, 4 Mar. 2026
Pitino believes Jackson has the speed, length and IQ to make an even bigger impact defensively.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for IQ
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Noun
Gilman has the instincts and football IQ to fill that role both in one-high and two-high looks.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Almost three quarters of family offices based in Asia-Pacific now engage in philanthropy, the highest rate globally, according to a 2024 report from investor services group IQ-EQ.
—Naina Subberwal Batra, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Instead, we’ve been trained to obsess over IQ, which has been our culture’s gold standard for aptitude since the early 20th century.
—Big Think, 4 Mar. 2026
Pitino believes Jackson has the speed, length and IQ to make an even bigger impact defensively.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 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 11 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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