Note 7 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Aug. 27, 2022	Aug. 28, 2021	Aug. 27, 2022	Aug. 28, 2021
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and non-controlling interest		$ 46,497	$ 31,616	$ 132,007	$ 110,509
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and non-controlling interest		33	14	70	51
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, pretax	[1]	(87,743)	(31,979)	(165,302)	46,680
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, tax	[1]	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	(87,743)	(31,979)	(165,302)	46,680
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, non-controlling interests	[1]	(46)	(27)	(67)	(25)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², pretax	[2]	778	1,855	5,483	5,561
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², tax	[2]	(94)	(480)	(1,507)	(1,440)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	684	1,375	3,976	4,121
Other comprehensive income (loss), pretax		(85,559)	(26,359)	(149,066)	63,944
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax		(525)	(1,704)	(5,000)	(5,145)
Other comprehensive loss		(86,084)	(28,063)	(154,066)	58,799
Other comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		(46)	(27)	(67)	(25)
Comprehensive income (loss)		(39,587)	3,553	(22,059)	169,308
Comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		(13)	(13)	3	26
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedge, pretax³	[3]	1,783	5,074	14,473	15,332
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[3]	(437)	(1,244)	(3,549)	(3,758)
Cash Flow Hedge³	[3]	1,346	3,830	10,924	11,574
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[3]	(437)	(1,244)	(3,549)	(3,758)
Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Cash flow hedge, pretax³	[3]	(377)	(1,309)	(3,720)	(3,629)
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[3]	6	20	56	53
Cash Flow Hedge³	[3]	(371)	(1,289)	(3,664)	(3,576)
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[3]	$ 6	$ 20	$ 56	$ 53

[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.