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

Conservation One of the most rewarding aspects of a Peruvian journey is knowing your choices make a difference. —Shawna Huffman Owen, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2025

But King said Kagan’s probing about the potentially far-reaching consequences on other agencies could make a difference when the justices meet privately to discuss the case. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

Simple activities like walking three to four times a week for 30 minutes can also make a difference. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025

But can skin-care ingredients in makeup really make a difference for your complexion? —Sophia Panych, Allure, 6 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for make a difference

• indifference