Il avait les yeux noisette...

Question

Why does noisette not become plural in this case? I can´t figure this out. I don´t see a double adjective with colors. I also don´t see hazel as a thing like an orange. Maybe that´s what I´m missing.? Is it actually a hazelnut or something? Can you explain this one to me? Thanks so much!

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Thad,
To supplement Maarten's explanation, in French, the colour 'noisette' (which comes from the word 'hazelnut') is derived from the food/nut 'noisette' (= hazelnut). Therefore it doesn't agree as an adjective, just like 'orange' or 'marron'. 
See link here: des yeux noisette
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Maarten Kamp · Answer

Hazel isn’t a thing, but ‘noisette’ is, as is ‘hazelnut’ in English. https://www.wordreference.com/fren/noisette