IQ

Meanings

1. 1abbreviationcountable

   Short for intelligence quotient: a number from a standardized test that is meant to measure reasoning and problem-solving ability.

   Grammar: Read as two letters, I-Q. Used with a: an IQ of 100; average is set at 100.

   Patterns

   • an IQ of 120
   • have a high IQ
   • IQ test

   The test gave her an IQ of 130.

   An IQ score is not a measure of kindness or creativity.

   Researchers compared the IQ scores of children in two schools.

2. 2abbreviationuncountableinformalhumorous

   Used informally for general cleverness or common sense.

   Grammar: Informal and often humorous: low IQ move.

   Patterns

   • a high-IQ move
   • low IQ

   Texting while crossing the road is a low-IQ move.

   It was a high-IQ decision to read the contract before signing.

   He may have book smarts, but his emotional IQ is low.

Word forms

Common combinations

high IQ

A high IQ does not guarantee success.

IQ test

She took an IQ test as part of the school application.

IQ score

An IQ score may change slightly between tests.

average IQ

By design, the average IQ is set at 100.

emotional IQ

Good managers often have a high emotional IQ.

Synonyms and how they differ

intelligence

Intelligence is the general ability to learn and reason, whereas IQ is one score from one test.

brainpower

Brainpower is an informal word for mental ability, without the testing meaning of IQ.

smarts

Smarts is informal and covers practical cleverness, which an IQ test may not measure.

Word family

intelligence quotient noun

the full name that IQ stands for

EQ abbreviation

emotional quotient, a measure of emotional skill

intelligent adjective

able to learn and reason well

intelligence noun

the ability to learn and reason

Commonly confused: IQ or EQ? IQ or I.Q.?

Practice

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