Lodash _.methodOf() Method

Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Nov 2026
5 examples
Util
Decorative image with the word METHODOF

Definition

The opposite of _.method: creates a function that invokes the method at a given path on a fixed object. Extra arguments are forwarded to that method. Part of Lodash Util since 3.7.0 (stable — not deprecated).

Note: The object is fixed; the path is supplied later — ideal for _.map over a list of paths against one target.

Syntax

Call _.methodOf. Start with this line.

Lodash
_.methodOf(object, [args])
CallWhat it does
_.methodOf(object, [args])Primary signature.
_.methodOf(...)Call the util helper.

Prefer import methodOf from "lodash/methodOf" when you want a smaller bundle.

Library declarations
Lodash
_.methodOf(object, [args])

Parameters

ParameterDescription
objectRequired. Object whose methods will be invoked
argsOptional. Arguments forwarded to each method

Return Value

Return ValueDescription
*Invoker (path) → result

Lodash Examples

Example 1 — Official: Map String Paths

Invoke several paths on one shared object.

Lodash
var array = _.times(3, _.constant),
    object = { 'a': array, 'b': array, 'c': array };

_.map(['a[2]', 'c[0]'], _.methodOf(object));
// → [2, 0]
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Array of fns. _.times(3, _.constant) builds getters for 0, 1, 2.
  2. Shared object. Keys a, b, c all point at that array.
  3. Invoker. _.methodOf(object) fixes the object; paths arrive later.
  4. Map. 'a[2]' → 2, 'c[0]' → 0.

Example 2 — Official: Path Arrays

Same results with array paths instead of bracket strings.

Lodash
var array = _.times(3, _.constant),
    object = { 'a': array, 'b': array, 'c': array };

_.map([['a', '2'], ['c', '0']], _.methodOf(object));
// → [2, 0]
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Array path. ['a', '2'] resolves like 'a[2]'.
  2. Same invoker. Still calls the function at that path on object.
  3. Result. Identical output: [2, 0].
  4. Pick a style. Arrays help when keys are dynamic or numeric.

Example 3 — Bound Method Arguments

Arguments after object are passed into every invoked method.

Lodash
var calc = {
  add: function (a, b) { return a + b; },
  mul: function (a, b) { return a * b; }
};

var run = _.methodOf(calc, 10, 5);

run('add');
// → 15

run('mul');
// → 50
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Fix object + args. calc, 10, and 5 are bound up front.
  2. Vary path. run('add') → calc.add(10, 5).
  3. Same args. run('mul') → calc.mul(10, 5).
  4. Dispatch. Classic object-first, path-later pattern.

Example 4 — Call the Invoker Directly

You do not need _.map — pass one path to the returned function.

Lodash
var array = _.times(3, _.constant),
    object = { 'a': array, 'c': array };

var invoke = _.methodOf(object);
invoke('a[2]');
// → 2

_.invoke(object, 'c[0]');
// → 0  // one-shot form
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Factory. Build an invoker once with _.methodOf.
  2. Call. Pass a single path → method runs on the fixed object.
  3. Compare. _.invoke is the one-shot equivalent.
  4. Choose. Many paths → methodOf; one call → invoke.

Example 5 — methodOf vs method

Same call, opposite binding order.

Lodash
var array = _.times(3, _.constant),
    object = { 'a': array };

_.methodOf(object)('a[2]');
// → 2

_.method('a[2]')(object);
// → 2  // same result, path fixed first
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. methodOf. Object first → pass path later.
  2. method. Path first → pass object later.
  3. Same call. Both invoke object.a[2]() → 2.
  4. Rule. Many paths / one object → methodOf; many objects / one path → method.
Compatibility

Browser & Runtime Support

_.methodOf is a Lodash Util helper since 3.7.0. It runs anywhere Lodash 3.7+ / 4.x runs — modern browsers (CDN or bundle) and Node.js / Bun / Deno with npm install lodash.

✓ Stable · Lodash 3.7.0+

_.methodOf()

Available in [email protected] full builds and the lodash/methodOf modular import. Works in evergreen browsers and current Node LTS when Lodash is installed.

100% With Lodash 3.7+
Google Chrome Supported · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Mozilla Firefox Supported · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Apple Safari Supported · macOS & iOS
Full support
Microsoft Edge Supported · Chromium
Full support
Internet Explorer No native support · Use a polyfill
Polyfill
Opera Supported · Modern versions
Full support
Samsung Internet Supported · Android
Full support
Bun Supported · JavaScript runtime
Supported
Deno Supported · JavaScript runtime
Supported
Node.js Supported · Server runtime
Supported
Android WebView Supported · Modern WebView
Full support
_.methodOf Lodash 3.7.0+

Bottom line: Safe for production once Lodash is loaded. Prefer import methodOf from "lodash/methodOf" for smaller bundles. Pair with _.map when you have many paths on one object.

Frequently Asked Questions

_.methodOf(object, …args) returns a function that takes a path and invokes the method at that path on the fixed object, forwarding any args you bound when creating the invoker. It is the opposite of _.method.
A path (string or array)—not the object. Example: _.methodOf(object)('a[2]') calls the method at object.a[2].
Arguments after object in _.methodOf are bound at create time. Example: _.methodOf(calc, 10, 5)('add') calls calc.add(10, 5).
_.method(path) fixes the path—the object comes later. _.methodOf(object) fixes the object—the path comes later. Mirror-image invoker factories.
No. That treats 'greet' as a method argument, not a path. Use _.methodOf(object)('greet') or _.method('greet')(object).
Use it when one object exposes several methods and you pick the path at runtime—dispatch tables, registries, or mapping a list of paths against a fixed target.

Next: _.mixin()

Extend Lodash with your own methods that support chaining and iteratee shorthands.

_.mixin() tutorial →

About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

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