Note 6 - Special Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Business Integration Project [Member]
Acquisition and transformation related costs	$ 55	$ 48	$ 242	$ 595
Workforce reduction costs		216	(1)	2
Facility exit costs	(2,862)	(1,043)	(2,455)	(3,683)
Facility exit costs	2,862	1,043	2,455	3,683
Other related costs		(10)	190	312
Other Nonrecurring (Income) Expense	(2,807)	1,297	(2,024)	4,592
Other Nonrecurring (Income) Expense	$ (2,807)	$ 1,297	$ (2,024)	$ 4,592

Amount of costs associated with planned restructuring activities as part of an acquisition.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	ful_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reversal of the amount of expense for special or contractual termination benefits provided to current employees involuntarily terminated under under a benefit arrangement associated exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ful_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of other expense (income) that is infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64828382&loc=d3e15138-107781

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Professional and contract service expense includes cost reimbursements for support services related to contracted projects, outsourced management, technical and staff support.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of accelerated depreciation charged against earnings associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: