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A liquid is a nearly incompressible fluid that conforms to the shape of its container but retains a (nearly) constant volume independent of pressure. As such, it is one of the four fundamental states of matter (the others being solid, gas, and plasma), and is the only state with a definite volume but no fixed shape. A liquid is made up of tiny vibrating particles of matter, such as atoms, held together by intermolecular bonds.
Solids have a definite shape and a definite volume. Liquids have more kinetic energy, so their particles are less rigid and can slide around one another, which allows liquids to flow. Liquids have no definite shape, so that they take the shape of their container, except for the surface, which is flat, but they do have a definite volume. Gases have more kinetic energy than liquids, so their particles move very rapidly. Gases expand to fill their container, so they have no definite shape and no definite volume.