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

Delays might occur, but staying organized and ready can make a difference if slots open up. —Hanmei Wu, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

Opening our primaries is an incredibly complex effort that requires thoughtful implementation, broad consensus, and a deep understanding of city voters in order to make a difference. —L. Joy Williams, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025

So the young nuns moved themselves and their mission, hoping to make a difference. —Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025

Advertisement Other factors, including rising ocean levels and the warming—and thus swelling—of the atmosphere can make a difference too, slightly increasing planetary circumference. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 July 2025

Rhymes for make a difference

• indifference