make a difference

idiom

1

: to cause a change : to be important in some way

Cost can make a difference in deciding on a college.

Your help made a big difference.

It may not matter to you, but it makes a world of difference to me.

2

: to do something that is important : to do something that helps people or makes the world a better place

She says that she got into politics because she wanted to make a difference.

Examples of make a difference in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Every individual can make a difference in the lives of our children, whether through simple acts of kindness, being more present in kids’ lives or investing in organizations that are working to foster social connectedness. —Carlos Curbelo, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026

If this can be disrupted, even for a short period, the overall effectiveness of America’s powerful fleet could be eroded enough to make a difference. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026

Quimby acknowledges homelessness is a problem, but volunteers can make a difference doing such simple acts as cutting the hair of a man who hasn’t taken his hat off all winter. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026

And most recently, she’s been writing on her Substack about the ways that people and politicians can calibrate themselves to the internet to feel some agency and make a difference in the world. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for make a difference

• indifference