diff --git a/syntax/nftables.vim b/syntax/nftables.vim
index f043e2e..a925d38 100644
--- a/syntax/nftables.vim
+++ b/syntax/nftables.vim
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ hi def link nftablesHex Number
 hi def link nftablesDelimiter Operator
 hi def link nftablesMask Operator
 
+syn match nftablesIdentifier /[$@]\<\i\+\>/
+hi def link nftablesIdentifier Identifier
+
 syn region Comment start=/#/ end=/$/
 syn region String start=/"/ end=/"/
 syn keyword Function flush