Note 7 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Aug. 28, 2021	Aug. 29, 2020	Aug. 28, 2021	Aug. 29, 2020
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and non-controlling interest		$ 31,616	$ 41,607	$ 110,509	$ 83,115
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and non-controlling interest		14	24	51	50
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, pretax	[1]	(31,979)	46,689	46,680	13,983
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, tax	[1]	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	(31,979)	46,689	46,680	13,983
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, non-controlling interests	[1]	(27)	22	(25)	25
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², pretax	[2]	1,855	2,769	5,561	8,306
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², tax	[2]	(480)	(691)	(1,440)	(2,072)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	1,375	2,078	4,121	6,234
Interest rate swap³, pretax	[3]	5,074	5,455	15,332	(19,515)
Interest rate swap³, tax	[3]	(1,244)	(1,330)	(3,758)	4,758
Interest rate swap³	[3]	3,830	4,125	11,574	(14,757)
Cross currency swaps³, pretax	[3]	(1,309)	(2,387)	(3,629)	8,353
Cross currency swaps³, tax	[3]	20	73	53	(145)
Cross currency swaps³	[3]	(1,289)	(2,314)	(3,576)	8,208
Other comprehensive income (loss), pretax		(26,359)	52,526	63,944	11,127
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax		(1,704)	(1,948)	(5,145)	2,541
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(28,063)	50,578	58,799	13,668
Other comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		(27)	22	(25)	25
Comprehensive income (loss)		3,553	92,185	169,308	96,783
Comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		$ (13)	$ 46	$ 26	$ 75

[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 and SG&A expense.

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