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Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	May 31, 2016
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Debt issuance cost	$ 2,405,000		$ 2,491,000
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ 23,899,000	$ 14,150,000
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		$ (558,000)
Amended accounting guidance, description	In March 2016, amended accounting guidance was issued that simplifies the accounting for share-based payments. The amended guidance impacts several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, forfeitures, statutory withholding requirements, and classification in the statement of cash flows. The Company early adopted this guidance during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. As required for early adoption in an interim period, all adjustments have been reflected as of the beginning of fiscal 2016. Accordingly, income tax expense for the three months ended August 31, 2015 has been restated to reflect excess tax benefits associated with share-based payments totaling $558,000 in current income tax expense, rather than in paid-in capital.
DHybrid Systems LLC \| Joint Venture Transactions
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percent of controlling interest by the Company	79.59%
Spartan \| Joint Venture Transactions
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percent of controlling interest by the Company	52.00%
TWB \| Joint Venture Transactions
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percent of controlling interest by the Company	55.00%
Worthington Aritas \| Joint Venture Transactions
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percent of controlling interest by the Company	75.00%
WEI \| Joint Venture Transactions
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percent of controlling interest by the Company	75.00%
Worthington Specialty Processing \| Joint Venture Transactions
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percent of controlling interest by the Company	51.00%