As defined by Simutronics:

Hybrid spell users who rely on both the Elemental and Spiritual Spheres, Sorcerers concentrate on spells of disruption and destruction. Their primary spells deal with the annihilation of animate and inanimate matter. While this is a difficult profession to learn early on, Sorcerers have the potential to be extremely powerful and deadly. They can not, however, learn as many utility and defensive spells as do Wizards or Clerics.

Problems with this definition:

Many sorcerers no longer feel that this definition adequately describes sorcery in Elanthia.  This definition appears to say that sorcerers trade utility and defense for offensive power.  While we do have access to the defensive spells on the minor lists, we have only one on our base list.  We have very few utility spells, and those we have (such as Phase) aren't useful in very many circumstances.  In trying to balance the professions, much of the offensive power that we supposedly traded these things for has dwindled in comparison to the other professions.

Yes, we can be extremely powerful and deadly, but then so can every other profession in the game, to the same degree as a sorcerer (except perhaps empaths, who are currently undergoing some revisions themselves).  Although our spells can appear very gruesome and deadly, they are not substantially more powerful, overall, than the spells of any other pure casting profession.  Messaging alone is not an adequate trade for fewer defensive and utility spells.

In the game, sorcerers used to be respected, feared, and sometimes hated for their power.  This is no longer the case.  By many we are not even seen as pure casters because we learn only from the minor lists in two spheres rather than having access to a major list in any sphere.