_____ has a definite volume but takes the shape of its container.

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A state of matter is one of the distinct forms in which matter can exist. The obsevable states of matter in everyday life are solid, liquid and gas.

In case of solids, particles are tightly or closely packed and the gaps between the particles are tiny. As a result it is tough to compress them. It has a fixed shape and volume. Some example of solids: solid ice, sugar, rock, wood, etc.

In a liquid state of matter, particles are less tightly packed as compared to solids. It can take the shape of the container in which they are kept. These are difficult to compress as particles have less space between them to move. So we can liquids have fixed volume but no fixed shape. Some example of a liquid state of matter: water, milk, blood, coffee, etc.

In case of gases, particles are far apart from each other. Force of attraction between the particles is negligible, and they can move freely. Gases have neither a fixed volume nor a fixed shape. An example of gases: air, helium, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc.