Augmented chords are a type of chord that create a unique sound by raising the fifth note of a major chord by a half step. For example, in a C augmented chord, the notes are C, E, and G#. This alteration gives the chord a bright and somewhat tense quality, often used to add drama in music. These chords are commonly represented with a "+" symbol, such as C+. Augmented chords can be found in various music genres, including classical, jazz, and pop, and they often serve as transitional chords, leading to other chords in a progression.