Nanosized Gd 1.92−x−y Zn x Li y Eu 0.08 O 3−δ phosphor was fabricated by combustion synthesis. The effect of Zn 2+ and Li + ions on the crystallization behavior, morphology, and luminescence property of Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ was investigated. The results indicated that incorporation of Zn 2+ and Li + ions into Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ nanoparticles (NPs) could lead to a remarkable increase of photoluminescence or X-ray excited luminescence, and the intensity at 612nm was increased by a factor of 7.1 or 21.5 in comparison with that of undoped sample. The enhanced luminescence was regarded as the results of the creation of oxygen vacancies due to the Gd 3+ sites occupied by Li + ions, the alteration of the crystal field surrounding the activator Eu 3+ ions owing to the incorporation Zn 2+ ions into interstitial sites, and the flux effect of Zn 2+ and Li + ions. The Zn- and Li-codoped Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ phosphor with highly enhanced luminescence is very encouraging for applications in high-resolution display devices.