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States of Matter Word Search

Find solid, liquid, gas and 12 more matter and phase-change words

Solid, liquid and gas, plus the words for the changes between them: melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation and sublimation. Plasma is in there too for older students. It fits the grade 2 matter unit (NGSS 2-PS1, which asks which changes from heating and cooling can be reversed) and the grade 5 unit on particles (5-PS1). One handy fact to test in class: at sea level, pure water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and boils at 212.

Free printable PDF with a full answer key, sized for US Letter and free for classroom use. Want your own title or words? Open it in the word search editor with everything already filled in.

Word SearchPreview

States of Matter Word Search

Find solid, liquid, gas and 12 more matter and phase-change words

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Word List

  • CONDENSATION
  • EVAPORATION
  • SUBLIMATION
  • TEMPERATURE
  • PARTICLES
  • FREEZING
  • MELTING
  • LIQUID
  • MATTER
  • PLASMA
  • VOLUME
  • SOLID
  • SHAPE
  • MASS
  • GAS
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What is a Word Search?

A word search hides a list of words in a grid of letters. Words can run horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Your job is to find and circle each one.

How to solve it

Scan rows and columns for the first letter of each word, then trace in all eight directions. Check off words as you find them.

Who is this for?

Word searches are perfect for all ages — from young students building vocabulary to adults who enjoy a relaxing mental exercise. Teachers use them for vocabulary preview activities, early finishers, and classroom brain breaks.

About this puzzle

Free printable states of matter word search: solid, liquid, gas, melting, freezing and 10 more. Medium level with answer key for grades 2-5. Instant PDF.

  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Format: US Letter PDF with answer key
  • Free to download, print, and use
  • Commercial use allowed for KDP publishers

Step-by-step: solving the States of Matter Word Search

  1. Print the PDF. Download the free PDF and print both pages — the puzzle and the answer key — on standard US Letter paper.
  2. Scan for first letters. Read down the word list, then look across rows and columns of the grid for the first letter of each word.
  3. Trace in any direction. Words run horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — and can be forward or backward. Once you spot a starting letter, trace in all eight directions.
  4. Check off found words. Cross each found word off the list. When the list is empty, compare with the answer key to verify.

Frequently asked questions

What are the three states of matter and how do they change?›
The three everyday states of matter are solid, liquid and gas, and they change when matter is heated or cooled: melting turns a solid into a liquid, freezing turns a liquid into a solid, evaporation turns a liquid into a gas, and condensation turns a gas back into a liquid. Sublimation takes a solid straight to a gas.
What grade is this word search for?›
It is the medium level, aimed at grades 2 to 5. Second graders can stick to the state and change words; fifth graders can add plasma, particles and volume.
Is there a states of matter puzzle pack?›
Yes. The States of Matter Puzzle Pack ($2.99) adds a crossword, a cryptogram, a word scramble, a word fill-in and a bigger word search, all with thirty new words, so nothing repeats this free page. It adds words like atom, molecule, density and deposition.
Can words go diagonally or backward?›
Yes. Words in this puzzle run horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — and they may go forward or backward. Always scan in all eight directions from a candidate starting letter.
Is there an answer key?›
Yes. Every free PuzzlePage word search PDF includes a separate answer-key page that highlights or lists every hidden word.
What grade level is this for?›
Word searches in this collection work well from upper-elementary through adult. Teachers often use them as vocabulary preview, classroom downtime, or sub-day filler.
Can I customize this puzzle?›
Yes. Open it in the free Word Search editor with the words already filled in, then change the title, edit or add words and pick a difficulty. Downloads are free with your email, and Premium removes the PuzzlePage credit.

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