Represents the amount of mandatory prepayments compared to excess cash flows.

No definition available.

Name:	ful_DebtInstrumentMandatoryPrepaymentsPercentOfExcessCashFlow
Namespace Prefix:	ful_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the Excess Cash Flow Percentage which would apply when secured leverage ratio is below 3.75:1.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ful_DebtInstrumentMandatoryPrepaymentsPercentOfExcessCashFlowWhenSecuredLeverageRatioIsBelow3751
Namespace Prefix:	ful_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the Excess Cash Flow Percentage which would apply when secured leverage ratio is below 4.25:1.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ful_DebtInstrumentMandatoryPrepaymentsPercentOfExcessCashFlowWhenSecuredLeverageRatioIsBelow4251
Namespace Prefix:	ful_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of cash paid on make whole bond premiums.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The percent of equity interest in domestic subsidiaries used to secure debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ful_PercentageOfEquityInterestInDomesticSubsidiariesUsedToSecureDebt
Namespace Prefix:	ful_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percent of equity interest in foreign subsidiaries used to secure debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ful_PercentageOfEquityInterestsInForeignSubsidiariesUsedToSecureDebt
Namespace Prefix:	ful_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the hedged item as of the balance sheet date related to the derivative. For example, the hedged balance on a debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAmountOfHedgedItem
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the interest rate derivative.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeBasisSpreadOnVariableRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fixed interest rate related to the interest rate derivative.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The difference between the book value and the sale price of options, swaps, futures, forward contracts, and other derivative instruments. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The effective interest rate at the end of the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current portion of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(13))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(19))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of the portions of long-term notes payable due within one year or the operating cycle if longer.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesPayableCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of a reclassification adjustment made to prior period financial statement amounts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow for payment of an obligation from a lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding calculated at point in time.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=ful_ReclassificationOfAnAssetToADirectDeductionOnDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreationDateAxis=ful_December32016Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ful_TermLoanBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ful_PublicBondMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ful_PublicNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ful_TermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Note 6 - Notes Payable, Long-term Debt and Lines of Credit (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands				12 Months Ended
	Oct. 20, 2017	Sep. 29, 2017	Feb. 14, 2017	Dec. 02, 2017	Dec. 03, 2016	Nov. 28, 2015
Notes Payable, Current				$ 31,468	$ 37,334
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time				11.00%	13.70%	8.10%
Long-term Debt, Fair Value				$ 2,452,034	$ 693,283
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				400,000
Reclassification of an Asset to a Direct Deduction on Debt [Member] \| December 3, 2016 [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment				2,386
Other Operating Income (Expense) [Member]
Payments on Make Whole Bond Premiums				25,535
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Amount of Hedged Item	$ 1,050,000			$ 150,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	4.28%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Other Operating Income (Expense) [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Derivatives	$ 168
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				1.86%
Term Loan B [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 2,150,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage				3.53%
Percentage of Equity Interest in Domestic Subsidiaries Used to Secure Debt	100.00%
Percentage of Equity Interests in Foreign Subsidiaries Used to Secure Debt	65.00%
Debt Instrument, Mandatory Prepayments, Percent of Excess Cash Flow	50.00%
Debt Instrument, Mandatory Prepayments, Percent of Excess Cash Flow When Secured Leverage Ratio is Below 4.25: 1	25.00%
Debt Instrument, Mandatory Prepayments, Percent of Excess Cash Flow When Secured Leverage Ratio is Below 3.75: 1	0.00%
Term Loan B [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.25%
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	4.2775%
Public Bond [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				4.00%
Public Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Term			10 years
Term Loan [Member]
Repayments of Debt			$ 158,750
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit, Current				$ 0
Percentage of Equity Interest in Domestic Subsidiaries Used to Secure Debt		100.00%
Percentage of Equity Interests in Foreign Subsidiaries Used to Secure Debt		65.00%
Repayments of Lines of Credit			$ 138,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End				3.27%
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.30%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				$ 400,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.00%
Letter of Credit [Member]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount				$ 1,743