Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2024	May 31, 2023	May 31, 2022
Operating activities:
Net earnings		$ 117,821	$ 269,170	$ 399,264
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		80,704	112,800	98,827
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets		34,377	2,596	3,076
Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes		2,762	(15,528)	19,175
Impairment of investment in note receivable		11,170
Loss on extinguishment of debt		1,534
Bad debt expense (income)		(450)	2,108	959
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions		5,722	79,870	(113,583)
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets		28,980	(4,458)	(16,150)
Stock-based compensation		16,688	19,178	16,100
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Receivables		50,078	143,089	(151,328)
Inventories		63,596	160,116	(118,490)
Accounts payable		(65,401)	(150,400)	12,230
Accrued compensation and employee benefits		468	(23,226)	(29,348)
Other operating items, net		(58,073)	30,049	(50,620)
Net cash provided by operating activities		289,976	625,364	70,112
Investing activities:
Investment in property, plant and equipment		(83,527)	(86,366)	(94,600)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(42,035)	(56,088)	(376,713)
Proceeds from sale of assets, net of selling costs		865	35,653	39,936
Investment in note receivable		(14,900)
Investment in non-marketable equity securities		(2,296)	(770)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest in Worthington Taylor, LLC				(6,811)
Net proceeds from sale of investment in ArtiFlex			35,795
Excess distributions from unconsolidated affiliate		1,085
Net cash used by investing activities		(140,808)	(71,776)	(438,188)
Financing activities:
Dividend from Worthington Steel at Separation		150,000
Distribution to Worthington Steel at Separation		(218,048)
Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings, net of issuance costs	[1]	172,187	(45,183)	41,726
Principal payments on long-term obligations		(393,890)	(6,685)	(565)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of tax withholdings		(11,399)	(1,780)	(6,280)
Payments to noncontrolling interests		(1,920)	(20,235)	(35,160)
Repurchase of common shares				(180,248)
Dividends paid		(56,819)	(59,244)	(57,223)
Net cash used by financing activities		(359,889)	(133,127)	(237,750)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(210,721)	420,461	(605,826)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		454,946	34,485	640,311
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$ 244,225	$ 454,946	$ 34,485

[1] Net proceeds in fiscal 2024 consisted of borrowings under short-term credit facilities assumed by Worthington Steel in conjunction with the Separation.