IQ

1 of 2

noun

ˌī-ˈkyü How to pronounce IQ (audio)
Synonyms of IQnext
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

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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
Exposure to lead in utero, infancy and early childhood can lead to harmful neurological effects like learning and behavior disabilities and lowered IQ. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024 Demand for the nuts grew 400% since 1980, according to a Bastyr University report, and almond orchards in California grew by 29,000 acres in 2022, according to an estimate from Land IQ, an environmental solutions group. —Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024 Today, PBDEs are the greatest contributor to intellectual disability in children, resulting in a total loss of 162 million IQ points and more than 738,000 cases of intellectual disability, according to an August 2020 study. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024 That will eventually make EQ, or emotional intelligence, more important than IQ. —Will Daniel, Fortune Asia, 28 Mar. 2024 Senior Analyst Manager: $191,000 a year Company: Agent IQ Work type: Remote This position will lead and grow a team of analytical engineers. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024 Those with unresolved persistent symptoms — such as fatigue and shortness of breath — had a six-point loss in IQ, while people who had been admitted to the intensive care unit for COVID had a nine-point decrease. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024 The all-in-one smart TV features an IQ Processor that powers and enhances picture performance, a Full Array LED Backlight that distributes LEDs evenly for light uniformity and superior picture and Active Pixel Tuning that automatically adapts picture for richer contrasts and color accuracy. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 Developed by a team with experience in semiconductor electronics and integration, the Iris is about the same size and weight as Butterfly’s IQ Probe. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'IQ.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

intelligence quotient

Abbreviation

Latin idem quod

First Known Use

Noun

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of IQ was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near IQ

iq

IQ

Iqaluit

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“IQ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IQ. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

IQ

noun
ˈī-ˈkyü How to pronounce IQ (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce IQ (audio)
: 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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