This invention is related to efficient anorganic phosphors, which are based on an oxysulfide host lattice of the general formula ABOS: M. Furthermore, this invention is related to the use of these phosphors in various technical applications such as fluorescent lamps, colored light or white light emitting LEDs, scanning beam displays working with UV or purple laser as exciting source and other devices in order to convert especially UV or NUV radiation or short-wave visible light into an useful longer-wave visible radiation. This invention is also related to light sources and/or display applications that contain the inventive phosphor. An inventive phosphor shows the general formula ABOS: M, where A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Mg, Sr, and Ba; B is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn and Mg; M is at least one first element selected from the group consisting of Mn2+, Cu2+, and Eu2+, Pb2+, Sb3+, Sn2+, Bi3+, Ce3+, Tb3+, and Pr3+; and additionally at least one second element selected from the group consisting of Mn2+, Cu2+, Cu+, Ag+, Pb2+, Sb3+, Sn2+, Bi3+, Eu2+, Ce3+, Tb3+, Pr3+ and La3+ as well as Li+, Na+, K+, and Rb+, wherein at least one of the second elements is different from every one of the first elements.