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

If your hair tends to get oily quickly, your wash routine can make a difference, too. — Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Through participation, children and families gain a deeper appreciation for their relationship to the world around them and discover how their actions can make a difference, starting right in their own neighborhoods. — Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

What the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group is betting on, though, is that over time the building will make a difference in football and business. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2026

Part of its mission is giving students a better understanding of how their degrees can make a difference. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for make a difference

• indifference