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
Alexander Coolidge, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Because there is no one else on this roster who can replicate his blend of IQ, grit and athleticism.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
Nurse has played 170 minutes without the captain while facing elites, owns a 43 percent Fenwick and is 7-9 goals, via Puck IQ.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Big Laughs For Nikki Glaser’s Monologue Glaser’s opener got huge laughs — and a couple of groans – mostly from the under-50-IQ dig for Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 11 Jan. 2026
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Noun
Last January, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics linked higher fluoride exposures in children to lower IQ scores.
—Alexander Coolidge, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Because there is no one else on this roster who can replicate his blend of IQ, grit and athleticism.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
Nurse has played 170 minutes without the captain while facing elites, owns a 43 percent Fenwick and is 7-9 goals, via Puck IQ.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Big Laughs For Nikki Glaser’s Monologue Glaser’s opener got huge laughs — and a couple of groans – mostly from the under-50-IQ dig for Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 11 Jan. 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 21 Jan. 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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