make a difference

phrase

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

But first, the Roundtable looks at the TV Academy’s decision to move five categories out of the Emmy telecast and the debate over whether this will make a difference in producing a more entertaining ceremony. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 July 2026

Who knows if less time in an airplane will make a difference, but a franchise that hasn’t won a postseason game since the 2018 season will look for anything to change that trajectory. — Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Those same qualities—freedom, opportunity and the belief that individuals can make a difference—have also been among America's greatest sources of innovation and renewal. — Frances West, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Changing the lineup for the next game won’t make a difference. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 23 July 2026

Rhymes for make a difference

• indifference