Note 16 - Operating Segments - EBITDA Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 105,707	$ 116,123	$ 284,102	$ 320,167
Interest expense	20,196	25,607	64,597	79,354
Interest income	(2,945)	(3,115)	(8,761)	(9,191)
Income taxes	5,112	19,321	22,194	38,902
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	41,607	49,718	83,115	98,603
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Adjusted EBITDA	785	1,339	3,377	7,761
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Adjustments	(1,657)	(5,491)	9,771	8,779
Interest expense	20,220	25,607	64,650	79,354
Interest income	(2,945)	(3,115)	(8,761)	(9,191)
Income taxes	14,050	14,798	32,335	37,219
Depreciation and amortization expense	34,432	34,606	102,992	105,403
Total	64,100	66,405	200,987	221,564
Hygiene, Health, and Consumable Adhesives [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Adjusted EBITDA	43,697	45,146	127,914	123,700
Engineering Adhesives [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Adjusted EBITDA	46,831	52,152	112,918	144,521
Construction Adhesives [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 14,394	$ 17,486	$ 39,893	$ 44,185