Cochleate is a relatively uncommon word that refers to a spiral or snail-shell shape, particularly in reference to certain types of biological structures such as proteins or bacteria. Although there are no direct synonyms that convey precisely the same meaning, there are several related terms that might be appropriate in different contexts. Spiral, helical, coiled, and twisted are all words that describe a shape that is similar to a cochlea, and might be used interchangeably in certain scientific or technical contexts. Other words that might be associated with cochleate include convoluted, labyrinthine, and intricate, which emphasize the complexity and detail of the shape.