Nostr Glossary
Learn the terminology and concepts you need to navigate the Nostr ecosystem.
_npub
Bech32-encoded public key format. Starts with "npub1" and is safe to share publicly.
Read the _npub guide_nsec
Bech32-encoded private key format. Starts with "nsec1" and should be kept secret.
Read the _nsec guideBoost / Repost
Sharing someone else's note to your followers (Kind 6 event).
Censorship Resistance
The ability to publish content without being blocked by a central authority. A core Nostr feature.
Read the Censorship Resistance guideClient
An application that connects to Nostr relays, allowing users to read and publish notes. Examples: Damus, Iris, Amethyst.
Read the Client guideDM
Direct Message. Encrypted private messages between Nostr users (NIP-04 or NIP-17).
Read the DM guideEvent
The basic unit of data in Nostr. Can be a note (post), metadata, contact list, reaction, or other types.
Read the Event guideFeed
A chronological stream of posts from accounts you follow, displayed in your Nostr client.
Read the Feed guideFollow List
A list of public keys you follow, stored as a special event (Kind 3) on relays.
Read the Follow List guideHashtag
Topics or keywords prefixed with # to categorize content and make it discoverable.
Read the Hashtag guideKind
A number indicating the type of an event. Kind 1 is a text note (regular post), Kind 0 is metadata, etc.
Read the Kind guideLightning Address
A human-readable identifier for receiving Lightning payments (like name@domain.com).
Read the Lightning Address guideLNURL
Lightning Network URL. A standard for Lightning Network payment interactions.
Read the LNURL guideMention
Referencing another user in a note using their npub or NIP-05 identifier.
Read the Mention guideNIP
Nostr Implementation Possibility. A document describing how to implement specific Nostr features. NIP-01 is the basic protocol.
Read the NIP guideNIP-05
A standard for human-readable identifiers (like username@domain.com) mapped to Nostr public keys.
Read the NIP-05 guideNostr
Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays. A decentralized protocol for social media and other applications.
Read the Nostr guideNostr Address
A NIP-05 identifier that looks like an email address (username@domain.com) mapped to your npub.
Read the Nostr Address guidenpub
Your public key (public identifier) in Nostr. Safe to share with anyone. Looks like npub1...
Read the npub guidensec
Your private key (secret key) in Nostr. Never share this with anyone! Looks like nsec1...
Read the nsec guidePubkey
Short for public key. Your identifier on the Nostr network, derived from your private key.
Read the Pubkey guideReaction
A simple emoji response to a note (Kind 7 event). Usually a like (❤️).
Relay
A server that stores and forwards Nostr events. Users connect to relays to publish and receive content.
Read the Relay guideRelay List
A list of relays you use, stored as a special event (Kind 10002 with NIP-65).
Read the Relay List guideThread
A series of connected notes (replies) forming a conversation.
Zap
A Bitcoin Lightning Network payment sent over Nostr. Used to tip or support other users.
Read the Zap guideNo terms found matching your search.
Quick Reference
npub
Public key - Safe to share
nsec
Private key - Keep secret!
NIP-01
Basic protocol
Kind 1
Text note (post)