world of difference
A great or insurmountable difference.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“A new coat makes a world of difference.”
“Adding a few plants to the office makes a world of difference in how the room feels.”
“The subtle change in leadership made a world of difference, transforming the struggling department into a highly efficient and motivated team within just a few months.”
First attested in the early 17th century, the phrase is a compound of the noun world and the noun difference. It has remained a standard English idiom for over four hundred years.
- 01
all over the world
throughout the world, everywhere, worldwide, globally.
- 02
best of both worlds
A combination of two seemingly contradictory benefits.
- 03
come into the world
To be born.
- 04
coming into the world
The act of being born; a birth.
- 05
dead to the world
Sound asleep.
- 06
edge of the world
A very remote place.
- 07
end of the world
Any change that seems catastrophic or devastating.
- 08
for all the world to see
in plain view; clearly visible
Last updated August 10, 2026