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
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
On top of nimbler steering for a larger vehicle, the Escalade IQ offers plush suspension through adaptive air suspension and magnetic ride control.
—Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The rest is supplied by 220 kWh of stationary battery storage, barely more than the 205 kWh found in a Cadillac Escalade IQ or GMC Hummer EV.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Oct. 2025
Its own abstract says there isn’t enough information to link lower fluoride exposure with children’s IQ.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for IQ
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
One hurdle for these editors is that far-right hate is more conducive to digital slop, both because algorithms prize outlandish ragebait and because the tribalistic ideas themselves are low IQ rubbish.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
On top of nimbler steering for a larger vehicle, the Escalade IQ offers plush suspension through adaptive air suspension and magnetic ride control.
—Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The rest is supplied by 220 kWh of stationary battery storage, barely more than the 205 kWh found in a Cadillac Escalade IQ or GMC Hummer EV.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Oct. 2025
Its own abstract says there isn’t enough information to link lower fluoride exposure with children’s IQ.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share