Note 4 - Supplemental Financial Statement Information - Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2019	Dec. 01, 2018	Dec. 02, 2017
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller		$ 130,817	$ 171,208	$ 59,418
Net income including non-controlling interests, non-controlling interests net		27	24	48
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, pretax	[1]	(20,409)	(71,222)	29,297
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, net	[1]	(20,409)	(71,222)	29,297
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, non-controlling interests net		14	(16)	(9)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², pretax	[2]	(28,635)	(3,671)	51,282
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², tax	[2]	6,807	701	(16,352)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², net	[2]	(21,828)	(2,970)	34,930
Interest rate swap³, pretax	[3]	(46,254)	25,819	3,060
Interest rate swap³, tax	[3]	11,223	(6,048)	(1,166)
Interest rate swap³, net	[3]	(35,031)	19,771	1,894
Other cash-flow hedges³, pretax	[3]	14,429	(4,047)	(6,538)
Other cash-flow hedges³, tax	[3]	(609)	(2,688)	2,491
Other cash-flow hedges³, net	[3]	13,820	(6,735)	(4,047)
Other comprehensive income (loss), pretax		(80,869)	(53,121)	77,101
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax		17,421	(8,035)	(15,027)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net		(63,448)	(61,156)	62,074
Other comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests net		14	(16)	(9)
Comprehensive income (loss), net		67,369	110,052	121,492
Comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests net		$ 41	$ 8	$ 39

[1] Income taxes are not provided for foreign currency translation relating to indefinite investments in international subsidiaries. As discussed in Note 1, the foreign currency translation adjustment for the year ended December 2, 2017 includes the impact of the change in functional currency for our subsidiaries in Latin America.

[2] Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 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 expenses.

[3] Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings is reported in other income (expense), net.