Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Financial Results of Four Largest Unconsolidated Affiliates (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2023	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2021
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 4,916,392	$ 5,242,219	$ 3,171,429
Gross margin		663,312	714,816	639,078
Net earnings (loss)		269,170	399,264	741,450
Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee, Other
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Net sales		2,880,640	3,268,842	1,918,477
Gross margin		693,546	808,599	438,558
Operating income (loss)		526,601	636,224	310,600
Depreciation and amortization		34,256	32,094	34,988
Interest expense		16,518	10,442	12,284
Income tax expense (benefit)		1,011	26,739	11,960
Net earnings (loss)		516,505	605,017	293,186
WAVE | Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee, Other
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Net sales		447,369	452,368	371,814
Gross margin		242,257	238,523	215,692
Operating income (loss)		184,882	183,545	165,381
Depreciation and amortization		4,679	4,554	4,073
Interest expense		13,024	8,386	8,909
Income tax expense (benefit)		222	158	200
Net earnings (loss)		171,687	175,154	156,869
ClarkDietrich | Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee, Other
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Net sales		1,451,665	1,695,808	893,371
Gross margin		403,569	431,070	158,074
Operating income (loss)		318,914	351,583	94,888
Depreciation and amortization		13,717	10,946	11,917
Interest expense		524	308	101
Income tax expense (benefit)		1,924
Net earnings (loss)		321,977	356,288	98,313
Serviacero Worthington | Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee, Other
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Net sales		564,569	620,312	311,543
Gross margin		21,503	96,918	51,253
Operating income (loss)		10,387	87,342	43,075
Depreciation and amortization		4,030	4,300	4,305
Interest expense		329	180	42
Income tax expense (benefit)		(2,996)	25,079	11,341
Net earnings (loss)		15,451	59,565	31,865
ArtiFlex | Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee, Other
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Net sales	[1]	52,641	187,089	144,834
Gross margin	[1]	8,589	30,633	20,596
Operating income (loss)	[1]	4,911	15,778	9,628
Depreciation and amortization	[1]	1,444	5,708	5,728
Interest expense	[1]	134	340	528
Income tax expense (benefit)	[1]	59	258	149
Net earnings (loss)	[1]	4,717	15,180	8,950
Workhorse | Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee, Other
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Net sales		364,396	313,265	196,915
Gross margin		17,628	11,455	(7,057)
Operating income (loss)		7,507	(2,024)	(2,372)
Depreciation and amortization		10,386	6,586	8,965
Interest expense		2,507	1,228	2,704
Income tax expense (benefit)		1,802	1,244	270
Net earnings (loss)		$ 2,673	$ (1,170)	$ (2,811)

[1] On August 3, 2022, we sold our 50% noncontrolling equity interest in ArtiFlex.