A diminished chord is a type of chord that consists of three notes: the root, a minor third, and a diminished fifth. For example, in a C diminished chord, the notes are C, E♭, and F♯. Diminished chords create a tense and unstable sound, often used to build suspense in music. These chords are commonly found in various music genres, including classical, jazz, and pop. They can function as transitional chords, leading to other chords and enhancing the emotional impact of a piece. Diminished chords are often represented with the symbol "°" or "dim."