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
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025
His relentless motor and budding football IQ helped the defense keep Mayfield and the rest of the Tampa Bay offense on their heels.
—Charlotte Observer, 22 Dec. 2025
Now, in a pending case from Alabama, the court is considering what to do when most – but not all – of a person’s IQ scores are above 70 after factoring in the error range.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
One more retail tenant has yet to be announced for the former ESPN Zone building, according to Theme Park IQ.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for IQ
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Noun
During the second week of this October, Feel Free sales surpassed those of Red Bull and Monster Energy at a top-five convenience store chain, according to a Botanic Tonics press release citing Nielsen IQ data.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025
His relentless motor and budding football IQ helped the defense keep Mayfield and the rest of the Tampa Bay offense on their heels.
—Charlotte Observer, 22 Dec. 2025
Now, in a pending case from Alabama, the court is considering what to do when most – but not all – of a person’s IQ scores are above 70 after factoring in the error range.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
One more retail tenant has yet to be announced for the former ESPN Zone building, according to Theme Park IQ.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Dec. 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 31 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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