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

Your preference toward eating one larger fruit over a couple smaller ones may make a difference. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 31 Dec. 2025

But the few that are outspoken do make a difference in swaying public opinion. —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2025

Collaborate with neighbors and friends, spread the word about recycling events, and make a difference in our community. —Michelle Sund, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025

Heel-toe drop didn’t make a difference to injury rates overall, for example, but low-drop shoes seemed to cause more injuries in the subgroup of experienced runners. —Outside, 30 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for make a difference

• indifference