Note 5 - Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller		$ 32,745	$ 26,807	$ 84,994	$ 61,689
Net income including non-controlling interests		53	79	161	308
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	3,368	(10,621)	3,860	(48,625)
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	3,368	(10,621)	3,860	(48,625)
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]		(98)		(14)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	2,585	2,325	7,755	6,976
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	(908)	(798)	(2,723)	(2,394)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	1,677	1,527	5,032	4,582
Interest rate swap³	[3]	16	15	45	37
Interest rate swap³	[3]	(6)	(5)	(15)	(7)
Interest rate swap³	[3]	10	10	30	30
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	56		(252)	(31)
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	(21)		96	6
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	35		(156)	(25)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		6,025	(8,281)	11,408	(41,643)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(935)	(803)	(2,642)	(2,395)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		5,090	(9,084)	8,766	(44,038)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(98)		(14)
Comprehensive income (loss)		37,835	17,723	93,760	17,651
Comprehensive income (loss)		$ 53	$ (19)	$ 161	$ 294

[1] Income taxes are not provided for foreign currency translation relating to permanent investments in international subsidiaries.

[2] Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) into earnings as part of net periodic cost related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans is reported in cost of sales, selling, general and administrative (SG&A) and special charges, net.

[3] Loss reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in other income (expense), net.