noun Uncommon

EQ

ee-KYOO

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EQ (noun) means a measure of a person's emotional intelligence: how well they recognise, understand and manage their own feelings and those of other people. Example: “Leadership training now puts as much weight on EQ as on technical skill.”

noun

A measure of a person's emotional intelligence: how well they recognise, understand and manage their own feelings and those of other people.

"Leadership training now puts as much weight on EQ as on technical skill."

"He has a high EQ and reads a room instantly."

In audio, the adjustment of the balance between different frequency ranges in a sound, or the equipment or software that does this.

"Add a little EQ to bring out the vocal."

"The mix needed less bass, so I pulled the low end down on the EQ."

verb

audio production To adjust the frequency balance of a recording or live sound.

"She EQ'd the drums before adding compression."

How to use EQ

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow good someone is at understanding and handling feelings, or the tone controls on a sound system.

When to use it

Informal in business use; the audio sense is standard jargon among musicians and engineers.

Memory tip

Written in capitals with no full stops; the plural of the audio device is 'EQs'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

IQ → EI equaliser →

Common pairings

high EQ low EQ EQ and IQ boost the EQ EQ settings

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Leadership training now puts as much weight on _____ as on technical skill.

Etymology

An initialism of 'emotional quotient' in the first sense, modelled on IQ, and a shortening of 'equalisation' in the audio sense.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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emotional intelligence emotional quotient EI equalisation equaliser equivalent

Antonyms

Related words

same equal equivalent superior parallel corresponding comparable correspondent

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between EQ and IQ?

IQ measures reasoning, memory and problem-solving ability against a standardised scale. EQ describes how well you perceive and handle emotions, your own and other people's. They are largely independent: a high score on one says little about the other.

Can you improve your EQ?

Emotional skills such as reading others' reactions, naming your own feelings and pausing before responding do improve with practice and feedback, which is why workplaces train for them. Unlike IQ, EQ has no single agreed test, so scores vary a lot between instruments.

Is EQ a real, measurable thing?

Emotional intelligence is a genuine area of psychological research, but the popular 'EQ score' is far less standardised than IQ. Most commercial EQ tests are self-report questionnaires, so treat any single number with caution.

What is the meaning of EQ?

"EQ" (noun) means a measure of a person's emotional intelligence: how well they recognise, understand and manage their own feelings and those of other people.

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same equal equivalent superior parallel corresponding comparable correspondent