Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463

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- Definition

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Article 5

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

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Balance Type:	na
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- Details

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- Definition

Cumulative distributions from an equity method investee in excess of the entity's investment balance in the investee.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014 WAVE	Jul. 31, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions TWB	Aug. 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions WAVE	Aug. 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions ArtiFlex	Aug. 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions ClarkDietrich	Aug. 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions Samuel Steel Pickling Company	Aug. 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions Seviacero	Aug. 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions Worthington Specialty Processing	Aug. 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions Zhejiang Nisshin Worthington Precision Specialty Steel Co
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates				50.00%	50.00%	25.00%	31.25%	50.00%	51.00%	10.00%
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	$ 20,934,000
Cumulative distributions in excess of investment		$ 57,772,000
Percentage of additional interest acquired by the company			10.00%